^ 


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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
AT  LOS  ANGELES 


'■^T   *>  ' 


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V 


uNiVE-.vSiTf  or  c;j.iru;MiA 

COLLEGE   OF  AG;cICULTU..E 

agi-jcultu:uj:=  e::?k  ii.ii;:ii  station 

BElJCELSy 


Bavid  P,    Barrov/s,    President 
Ihonias  F.   Hunt,    Dean 
H.  E.   Van  Nornanj    Vi^e-DJ rector  and 
De-an-  Universicy  Farm  Schoo). 


t: 


cor.  :.  ESPONDENCE       COUllSES 

I  N 
...      .   A  G  li  I  C  U  L  T  U  i:  E 


COURSE  XTKIII 
VEGET/iBLE        GAiiCEinN'G 
By  S..  S,  Iv orders 
Lesson  1. 


Address  all  comnuiications  relative  to  the  cocresnordence  courses  to 


DB'ISION  OF  AGincULTLvJ\L  EDUCATION, 
UKT'E.xSITT   OF  CALIFGANIA, 
BEraCELSY.""- 


61,7 


[NDEX 


Course  33,   -     Vcq-tablr      Gai^d  jrj  .ig^    - 

Lesson  1.      Types   of  Vcgrtablo   Cardcnj.n«;;   Essoiitids    1' v   6-iccjn£; 
Early  History   of  V^gctanl.o   Gardorii^!;  i.r  o^l- f '^^'•'"-^' 
Prccont   Status;    Futur;   Outloo!-:. 

Lesson  2.     Vegotablo  Card  ;iung  Dictr:  etc  in  Cclifor-i.a;      b:]. -ctior. 
of  Location  and  Choico  of  Crops;   Mark  its. 

LosGon  3.      Soil  and  Clj,nat-   Suitahli   for  Vegetable   Gf  rd 'i.i'Vg', 
TJater  Supply;   Capital  and  La'^or;   I.Ianurcs. 

Lesson  4.      Irrigation;   Hot  Bcdc   and  Cold   Fra-n^c. 

Logo  on  5.      Ko.v  to  Lay   Out  t!io  Vegetable   Garde.i;    Iict."iod3    of   Plarfftj-ng; 
Tut'^irc  Care   of  Crops;      Storing;-     Rotation  of  Crops. 
Classification, 

Lesson  6.  Potatoes. 

Lesson?,  Sweet  Potatoes;      Onions. 

Lesson  3,  Tomatoes;   Ilelons. 

Lesson  9.  Cabbage;   Cr.ulif lot/er. 

Lesson  10,  Celery;  Lettuce. 

Lesson  11.  Beets;     Carrots;      Tui-nips;   Parsnips;   Peas;   Beans, 

Lesson  12.  Sv.'eet  Corn;   Egg  Plant;      Peppers;   Cucuibcrs. 

Lens  on  13,  Rhubarb;   Asparagus. 

Lesson  14.   Purrpkins;    Squash;  Radishes;   Spinach;   Sv-eet     C'lard; 
Uustard;      Artichokes;      Th:  Hone  Vegetable   Garden. 


— ooOoo — - 


course  33.  Page  2.  Lesson  1 

GENERAL 
Tyres  of  Vei^etable  Gardens,  aardeniT]g  in  California. 

Types.    All  vegetable  gardens  cone  under  one  of  three  types,  truck,  home  and  nar 
ket  E^ordcns, 

The  term  "truck  gnrdens"  is  generally  understood  to  designate  those 
which  are  located  some  distance  fron  the  selling  point,  making  it  necessary  to 
haul  the  vepetr.bles  by  rail  or  boat  into  the  market ,  rather  than  by  the  use  of 
wagons.  Under  this  heading  'vould  also  be  included  ranchers  who  are  specializing 
upon  relatively  few  varieties  of  vegetables ,  but  are  growing  large  quantities  of 
each.  This  type  of  gardening  is  found  commonly  throughout  the  entire  United 
States  and  is  a  large  factor  in  the  production  of  vegetables.  These  gardens  are 
usually  located  r.lthin  ten  to  forty  miles  of  the  largest  cities  in  the  United 
Sta+js ,  although  on  account  of  especially  favorable  local  conditions  they  may  be 
located  several  huudred  miles  from  the  largest  cities  ,  the  vegetables  being  ship- 
ped by  carload  lots  to  the  markets. 

An  exnmple  of  this  kind  of  gardening  is  well  illustrated  in  California 
in  the  potato  district  known  as  the  Delta,  in  which  from  40,000  to  50,000  acres  of 
potatoes  are  produced  annually.   Of  the  three  types  of  gardening,  the  truck  gar- 
dens comprise  much  more  land  than  the  other  tvjo   types  ,  for  the  truck  grower  often 
plants  fror.  40  to  several  hundred  acres  of  vegetables.  The  net  profits  from  these 
gardens  average  from  $50.00  to  ^200.00  per  acre,  depending  upon  location,  choice 
of  crops  ,  etc. 

The  term  "market  garden"  is  generally  applied  to  gardens  which  are 
producing  large  assortments  of  vegetables  .  located  within  hauling  distance  of  the 
narketo.  This  type  of  gardening  ic  very  important,  and  the  land  is  farmed  very 
intensively.  Market  gardens  are  found  in  the  irnnediate  vicinity  of  the  larger 


Course  33  Page  3  .  ^^^«°"  ^ 

cities, cf  the  United  States,  and  vary  from  5  to  40  acres  in  r.ize.  The  profits 
from  a  well  managed  market  i^arden  are  nuch  larger  per  acre  than  when  truck  g:..r« 
dening  is  practiced  and  occasionally  net  the  grower  $1000  or  nore  per  acre.  The 
average  net  income  averages  bet'-'&en  $150  tc  §300  per  acre. 

Home  gardening  is  the  raising  of  vegetables  for  home  use.  From  an 
economic  standpoint  this  manner  of  gardening  is  of  little  importance  and  in  fact 
many  vegetables  hr^-  raised  in  a  home  garden  at  a  higher  ccst,  than  that  for  wnacn 
they  could  be  purchased,  but  when  this  form  of  gardening  is  practiced  the  cost  oi 
production  is  generally  not  considered.  These  gardens  are  located  throughout  the 
United  States  wherever  vegetables  can  be  grown  and  are  to  be  found  in  many  of  the 
back  yards  in  the  cities  and  toi^ns.  The  area  devoted  to  this  kind  of  gardening 
is  very  email;  in  most  places  only  enough  vegetables  are  raised  for  home  consump- 
tion, v'ith  probably  a  few  to  sell  or  give  away  to  the  neighbors. 

Essentials  for  Success.  Before  entering  into  vegetable  gardening  as  a 
business,  there  are  certain  conditions  v/hich  must  be  thoroughly  understood  in 
order  that  success  in  this  enterprise  may  be  forthcoming.  There  are  not  only  in 
California,  but  wherever  vegetables  are  grovm ,  a  large  number  of  men  who  have  had 
the  desire  to  enter  this  business  \7ithout  the  necessary  requirements;  and  in  most 
cases  it  is  but  a  short  time  before  these  men  fail.  The  most  important  essential 
for  success  is  a  favorable  location*   It  is  absolutely  impossible  to- grow  vege- 
tables v/here  the  local  conditions  are  not  satisfactory  for  their  production.   In 
considering  the  location,  not  only  the  elements  should  be  taken  into  account,  but 
also  the  markets. 

After  a  suitable  location  has  been  selected  a  successful  vegetable  grov;- 
er  should  have  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  business,  such  as  working  the  soil, 
selection  and  care  of  crops,  etc.  Even  v/ith  a  rather  unfavorable  location,  a 


Course  33  Page  4  Leia«:.  ! 

grower  who  is  firailiar  v^rith  the  cultural  requirements  of  his  crops  may  be  suc- 
cessful in  ver>et".ble  g-ardcning ;  but  although  a  man  is  gardening  under  the  mos?. 
favorable  conditions,  if  he  dees  not  understand  his  business  he  is  sure  to  fan 
sooner  or  later.  Aside  frcji  the  foregoing  requirements,  a  successful  narkei.  gar 
dener  should  have  good  business  ability,  sufficient  capital  and  know  how  and  whe;, 
to  sell  his  crops.  He-  should  also  be  able  to  talk  intelligently  to  the  men   to  .:•. 
whon  he  sells  his  crops  and  after  once  making  a  reputation  v/ith  them  as  being  a 
thorough  business  man  and  always  living  up  to  his  agreements  ,  he  can  obtain  much 
larger  prices  for  his  crops  than  the  grower  who  is  slack  in  his  business  methods. 
In  order  that  a  man  shall  become  properly  established  in  this  business  ,  he  must 
have  available  capital  in  order  to  purchase  equipment  for  the  proper  amount  of 
labor.   Otherr/ise  it  is  impossible  to  have  his  products  on  the  market  at  the  right 
season  and  in  the  best  condition. 

Aside  from  the  requirements  given  above,  it  is  absolutely  necessary  that 
the  grower  be  familiar  .vith  the  local  conditions  of  climate,  soil  and  moisture. 
It  is  impossible  to  Know  the  mcst  favorable  crops  to  grow  and  the'tbest  seasons  in 
which  to  grov.'  them  unless  knowledge  is  had  of  the  local  conditions.  Before  enter- 
ing into  this  business  in  a  locality  which  is  unfamiliar  to  the  grower,  he  should 
be  very  cautious  in  the  selection  of  his  crops.  If  possible  the  prospective  vege- 
table grower  shouXd  work  with  some  successful  gardener  in  the  immediate  vicinity 
for  ,'i  year  or  more  in  order  that  the  best  seasons  for  planting  and  the  best  methods  ; 
to  follov;  may  be  knov/n.  If  this  is  -impossible  it  might  bo  practical  to  secure  the 
advice  of  some  leading  grower  in  the  vicinity  whose  word  may  bo  trusted  and  who 
understands  the  business  ,  and  obtain  from  hiir.  the  information  desired.  I 


Course  33.  Page  5  Lesson  1, 

GARDENING  IN  CALIFORNIA., 
Early  History.  Vegetable  gardening  in  California  during  the  early  day:, 
was  never  popular,  although  as  far  back  us  1851  there  rrre  a  large  number  of  gul- 
dens in  the  vicinity  of  Sai;  Tr-mcisco  Bay.  Many  of  the  vegetables  used  in  Calx-, 
fornia  during  this  early  per/.cJ  were  shipped  in  by  boat  or  by  rail  from  other 
states  which  had  been  settl-ic  prior  to  California.  The  reason  that  vegetable 
growing  was  not  popular  in  California  during  early  days  is  probably  accounted  foi 
from  the  character  of  the  people  who  first  settled  h.re.  From  early  tiines  this 
State  has  been  widely  knor.Ti  as  holding  great  j.  .3sibilit\es  in  the  mining,  cattle 
and  sheep  industries,  so  the  people  who  first  settled  here  were  men  who  followed 
one  of  these  three  lines  of  rork,  and  on  account  of  these  more  remunerative  inter- 
ests vegetable  f-rowing  was  not  considered  profitable,  A  second  reason  that  vege- 
table growing  was  not  popular  at  this  time  was  duo  to  the  exacting  conditions  un- 
der which  vegetables  must  be  produced  in  order  that  they  should  be  at  all  renun- 
erative,  for  there  are  certain  conditions  which  arc  abcolutely  essential  for  suc- 
cess. Since  it  was  impossible  to  find  very  much  land  in  the  vicinity  of  markets 
which  was  suitable  for  raising  vegetables,  such  crops  as  barley,  wheat,  oats,  e^c. 
were  planted. 

During  1849-1850  a  large  number  of  Chinese  entered  California  and  went 
immediately  into  the  vegetable  business.  These  men  v/erc  brought  up  in  this  busi- 
ness and  on  account  of  their  willingness  to  work  for  a  small  margin  of  profit  ,  the 
vegetable  growing  was  left  largely  to  foreign  labor.  This  of  course  did  not  en- 
courage the  Americans  to  enter  into  competition  with  them  and  kept  a  good  many 
from  entering  this  business, 

A  third  reason  for  the  slo'7  development  of  vegetable  gardening  in  this 
state  is  due  to  the  specialized  crops  which  have  been  grov/n.   A  large  part  of  the 


Course  33.  Page  6  Lessen  i 

Ai^ricultural  sections  of  the  State  ire  ussd  for  growing  only  one  crop;  tn:.t  is. 
the  grower  ^  ill  h?.ve  from  -iO  to  several  hundred  r^cros  or  peaches  or  psnrs  b';t 
frequently  does  not  possess  n.  con,  to  sr.y  nothing  of  a  vegetable  garden. 

Present  St^ati:rs  of  Vegetable  Gardening. 
During  the  last  fe'7  yeurs  this  branch  of  agriculture  has  received  inuoh 
core  attention  than  it  had  heretofore,  and  many  hundreds  of  acres  which  lornerly 
produced  grai.^  have  be on  turned  into  vegetable  gardens.  The  average  standing  of 
the  vegetable  grorer  has  changed  iinnensely  during  the  past  thirty  or  more  yearr. , 
and  instead  of  beinr  considered  a  branch  of  horticulture,  which  should  be  only 
entered  into  by  Ghineso  ,  Japanese  or  Italians,  a  large  nunber  of  influential 
/i3::ericans  are  going  into  this  line  cf  v/ork  and' have  demonstrated  that  there  is 
noncy  to  be  ardc   in  vegetable  gardening  by  the  American  as  well  as  by  the  foreign 
farmer.  Not  only  has  the  cultural  condition  been  greatly  inproved,  but  the  systcjr 
of  narketing  has  so  changed  that  where  formerly  one  raan  would  be  in  conpetition 
'."ith  his  neighbor  they  are  now  working  together  v/ith  vez-y  favorable  results  , 

•  largely  through  the' local  associations.  From  a  com.paratively  few  acres  which  in 
the  early  days  were  used  for  vegetable  gardens ,  the  area  has  increased  in  Cali- 
fornia until  at  the  present  timfe  there  are  thousands  of  acres  which  are  used  sole- 
ly for  the  production  of  vcFetablos. 

Future  Outlook.   In  discussing  the  future  outlook  for  the  California 
vogetnblc  grov/er,  there  are  two  phases  whichv.dll  bo  considered:  favorable  and 

• unf nvcrable.    ■ 

-<-  In  considering  the  favtfrablc  "cidd '  of  thebusiness  ,  there  are  a  number 

of  Conditions  which  would^  seem'to  incourage  the  farmer  to  raise  vegetables.  There 
is  probably  no  other  manner  of  faming  which  rives  such  large  profits  per  acre  as 
vegetable  garde..iing  ,  and  the  grower  does  not  have  to  wait  very  lone  fcr  hir,  roturr 


n         n  Lesson  1. 

Course  33.  Page  7. 

since  most  of  "the  ver.e-tables  are  marketed  vrithin  3  oo  9  months  after  planting. 
This  ready  money  is  a  big  help  Then  v:aiting  for  an  c.rchard  to  come  into  bearing > 
By  raising  vegetables  the  grower  can  utilize  certain  portioi a  of  his  ranch  which 
'.vGuld  otherwise  be  wasted.  Thero  are  many  ranches  in  California  having  a  few 
acres  situated  favorably  for  a  vegetable  garden,  yet  on  account  of  the  limited 
area  the  growers  do  not  seem  to  consider  worth  while  planting  to  such  crops  as 
alfalfa,  barley,  etc.  Calif ornic.  has  more  natural  tdvantogos  for  the  vegetable 
grower  than  any  other  part  of  the  United  States.  The  mild  climate  makes  possible 
growing  vegetables  at  a  season  of  the  year  when  many  parts  of  the  United  States 
are  covered  with  snow  and  ice.  There  is  no  richer  soil  in  the  world  than  is  found 
in  certain  sections  of  this  state,  and  the  v;at'3r  supply  is  also  a  very  favorable 
factor.  Gardens  in  the  mors  hur.;id  climates  are  sometimes  cared  for  \7ithout  the 
aid  of  artificial  irrigation. 

Probably  one  of  the  leading  factors  influencing  the  slow  progrees  of 
the  vegetable  industry  in  California  wae  the  inability  to  ship  the  vegetables  to 
points  where  the  market  conditions  were  most  favorable.  During  the  past  ten 
years  this  phase  of  the  industry  has  greatly  improved  by  the  reduction  of  freight 
and  express  rates  and  the  forming  of  several  vegetable  Associations,  v/hich  handle 
the  crops  much  more  advantageously  for  the  grower  than  the  former  slack  methods 
of  selling.  Not  only  has  the  manner  of  handling  long  distance  shipments  been  im- 
proved but  there  is  much  more  of  a  demand  for  the  local  trade.   The  population  of 
California  is  rapidly  increasing,  and  also  the  corresponding  demand  for  vegetables. 
i^ot  only  are  the  above  conditions  favorable  to  gardening,  but  there  is  for  many  a 
great  deal  of  enjoyment  taken  in  seeing  vegetables  grow  and  undoubtedly  this  work 
is  one  of  the  most  healthful  to  the  grower.. 


Course  33.  Pa^e  8  ^"aon  1- 

Although  the  future  for  vegetable  gardening  has  many  encouraging  argu- 
ments ,  there  is,  houevsr,  another  sid,e  of  this  v/prk,  and  in  order  that  the  o-tuder.1 
shall  understand  the  uphill  work  as  well  as  that  which  is  favorable,  the  foilowinj 
points  are  given. 

One  of  the  mcst  unfortunate  conditions  which  any  of  the  gro-srers  meet  is 
the  scarcity  of  skilled  labor.   Cf  the  large  nunber  of  laborers  in  California  a 
very  snail  percentage  have  been  trained  for  vegetable  gro^ng,  thus  making  it  very 
difficult  to  obtain  the  right  class  of  labor.  Not. only  is  it  hard  to  get  the 
proper  class  of  labor,  but  7;ages  are  higher  in.  California  than  else'.vhere  for  this 
kind  of  ■'.7ork,  and  in  certain  sections  ths  wage  itera.  is  so  large  that  it  has  been 
found  impossible  to  grcT7  vegetables  advantage.ously.  These  two  points,  however, 
v7ill  probably  become  of  less  importrnce  as  the  state  gror/s ,  and  more  foreigners, 
such  as  Italians  ,  are  encouraged  to  settle  here. 

Another  very  unfavorable  condition  is  the_ uncertainty  of  the  markets. 
The  can  v/ho  is  growing  sugar  beets,  fruit.,  grain,- etc,  ,  often  knows  the  price 
which  he  vrill  receive  for  his  crops  at  the.  time  ol  planting.  For  the  vegetable 
grov/er,  however,  there  is  no  method  by  whiqh  it  is.  possible  to  determine  with  any 
degree  of  assurance,  the  price  which  wUl  be  received.   For  instance,  the  writer 
has  known  the  price  of  cabbage  to  be  §40,^.00  a  ton  one  year,  and  the  next  season 
the  market  would  be  so  glutted  with  this  vegetable  that  many  of  the  growers  plowed 
their  crop  under.   The  grower  should  also  have  an  exacting  knowledge  for  the  re- 
quirements of  the  crops  which  he  is  growing.  Not  only  must  he  know  the  thorough 
working  of  the  soil,  but  the  proper  time  for  planting  and  the  best  varieties  to 
grow.   As  will  be  pointed  out  later,  certain  varieties,  of  lettuce  ,  peas,  etc.  ,  arc 
Ciore  desirable  one  season  than  at  ..another.  There  are  also  many  ranches  in  Cali- 
fornia which  are  unfavorable  for  vopetab.le.^rov.'ing  ,  a-id  .there,  are  many  men  \7ho 


Course  33 


Par.e  9  Lesson  1 


have  filled  in  this  business  by  trying  to  grow  vegetables  where  conditions  were 

unauited  for  thio  business. 

It  is  necessary  also  to  have  a  considerable  amount  of  capital  in  order 
to  buy  implements,  hire  men.  etc.  Crops  such  as  celery  often  cost  the  grower 
from  $100.00  to  ^,125.00  per  acre  before  he  has  received  any  returns.  The  garden 
T7ork  in  California  is  done  largely  by  foreigners  such  as  Chinese,  Japanese  and 
Italians.  These  men  are  willing  to  work  for  a  small  margin  of  profit,  working 
long  hours  and  spending  only  a  few  cents  a  day  for  maintenance.  This  class  of  men 
can  often  profitably  sell  vegetables  for  less  than  it  would  cost  the  average 
American  to  raise  then,  and  unless  he  has  some  particular  advantage,  such  as  extra 
good  quality  or  out  of  season  vegetables,  he  has  to  compete  r/ith  their  prices. 

In  order  to  grow  a  successful  garden  the  grower  must  be  willing  to  work 
hard,  and  constantly,  for  there  is  something  to  do  nearly  every  day  in  the  year 
in  a  California  vegetable  garden.   It  is  customary  for  the  foreigners  to  commence 
working  as  soon  as  it  is  daylight  and  continue  until  dark,  making  a  day  of  ten  to 
fifteen  hours.   If  the  American  is  going  to  be  able  to  compete  with  this  kind  of 
labor,  he  must  require  a  long  day's  work  from  his  men,  and  in  order  to  get  the 
best  from  them  he  \7ill  have  to  bo  there  himself  a  good  portion  of  the  time. 

The  vegetable  grov/er  often  sustains  a  loss  of  the  whole  crop  or  a  large 
portion  of  it  from  plant  diseases  and  insect  pests.   The  writer  has  kno\7n  several 
rrovrers  who  have  lost  as  high  as  forty  acres  of  celery  in  one  season  from  blight. 
Aside  from  the  diseases,  many  gardeners  have  lost  heavily  from  insects  such  as  the 
corn  worm,  cabbage  worm,  aphis,  etc.   Crop  failures  are  also  common  to  the  vegeta- 
ble grower  and  the  seasons  vary  so   much  from  one  year  to  another  that  although  a 
certain  vegetable  will  grow  well  one  year,  it  may  become  a  total  loss  the  follow- 


Course   33.  Page  Irt.  Lesson  1. 

Although  these  unfavorable   corditions  might  tend  to  dishearten  a 
prospective  vegetable  grower,  they  should  be  seriously  considered,   for  r.any 
gro'O'ers  have   only  the   favorable    outlook  pictured  to  them,   and  th?y  learn  to 
their  sorror;-,  V7hen  it   is  too   late,  that  there   is   another  side  to  this   business. 
HoT/ever  ,  to  siorn  up;      for  the  man  T-ho  is  virilling  to   seriously  consider  thsse 
objections   as  -^^ell   as   others   not  mentioned,  the   future   outlook  for  the   Coli-' 
fornia  Vegetable  C-ro'.7er3  appears   on  the  whole  exceedingly  bright,  depending 
entirely   on  the  men  themselves   and  the   conditions   u^ider  which  the  '.7ork  is 
carried   on.      Doubtless,  the  market   facilities  v.'ill  be  improved  during  the 
next   few  years   even  rr.ore  than  they  have  been   in  the  past ,   and  this  will  give 
to  the  gro'ver  mere   oi   the  money  which  in  the  past  has  gone   into  the  pockets 
of   the  middle  men. 

SUGGESTIVE  RErERENCE  BOOKS   OM  VEGETABLE  GARDENIIiG. 

E.   J.  TJickson    -  California  Vegetables. 

R.   L,  V/atts   -  Vegetable  Gardening. 

L.   G.  Corbett   -  Garden  Farming. 

Peter  Henderson   -  Gardening   for  Profit, 

H.  Rawson   -  Success   in  Market  Gardening. 

L.   h.   Bailey   -  Principles   of   Vegetable  Gardening. 

J.   R.  Davis   -  Up-to-date  Truck  Growing  in  the   South. 

J.  V/.  Loyd  -  Productive  Vegetable  Groi?Lnr,,- 


Course   33.  PQF,e  11.  ^''^^°^   ^' 

QUESTIONS 

i.      Nnme  and  describe   the  different  typec   of   Vegetable  Gardens. 
2.     f7hnt   should  the   procnectivo  Vegetable  Grower   consider  Defore 
enterinr^   ioto   \;en;etable  Fardening? 

3.  Narae   four  advantages  for  the  future  production  of  veget^iblcs   in 
GaiJ  f ornia. 

4.  State   four  disadvantages   in  connection  with  future   vegetable 
production  in  Califor-nia  and  name  the   on&  you  consider  the  hardest 
to  overcore. 

0 

Address   all   correspondence   to  DIVISION  OF  AGRICULTURAL  EDUCATION  , 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA, 
BERiffiLEY . 


xJNP/ERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  David  P.   Barrows,   President 

CCLLEC-S  OF  ACRIGULTURS  "Ihomas   F.   Hunt,    Dean 

AGRICULTURAL  EXPERBSKT  STArio;,' 
BEPJ-^ilSY 


C0RRESP0ND5NCE    COURSES 

I  N 
AGRICULTURE 


COURSE  33 

VEGETABLE  GARDENING 
By  S.  S.  Rogers 
Lesson  2 


Address  all  communications  relative  to  the  correspondence  courses  to 

DIVISION  OF  AGRICULTURAL  EDUCATION 
L^.-IIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORICIA 
BERKELEY 

2046^5 


Course  33.  page  2.  Lesron  2. 

Vegetable   aro'7in^  Districts  in  Califcrnia 
Selection   of  Locaticn  r.nd   Choice    of   Crop? . 

District 3:  Proie3Scr  E.    J.  Uickson  in  his  book,   "California  Ve.-^itableo"-, 

has  divide'!  the  state  into   five  vepetable-grov/ing  districts:   Coast   Section, 
Interior  Lo^-'land?  ,   Interior  Plains   and   P'cot   Hills  and  ricimtain  Vf.lleys- 

The  Coast  -.'■egstable--rovin-  district    included  the  land  arouna 
San  Francisco  Bay,     the   small  valleys  liong  the  c^ast   and  especiallv  Ventura, 
Los  Angeles,  and  Orange  Countips.     These  districts   prod-uce  a  large  amount    cf 
vegetables   and   play  a  very   iaucrtant    part   in  the  vegetable   production   of  th^s 
state.      Their  chief  advantage   is  thit   the   climate   is  very  v.niforrr!,   allo-virg 
thy  groover  to  raise  nany  tender  veq;etable5  durin,-^  a   large  part   of  tne  winter 
and  many  vegetables  are  produced   in  the  summer,  such  as  lettuce,  cabbage,   ei-c.  , 
which  cannot   be   gron-n   in   other  pr.rts    of  th.e   State  at   this   season.      For  the 
one  i"ho  is  going  into  vegetable  gardening,  it  -"/ovld  be  well  to  thoroughly  loox 
over  the   coast   sections,    for,   although  the   land   is   expensive,   the   proceeds   are 
often  high   en  account    of  the   favorable   climatic    conditions. 

The  chief  riisadvantage   cf  this   section  is  the   mabili-^v  to  secjre 
land,  as  t'ds  district   has  long  been  regarr.e^   as  the  most    favorable  vegetable 
grov/ing  section   in  the   Gtate  ,   and  there-  has   been  a  large   neriand   for  the   land. 
On   some   parts   of  tho   coast,   the  area    is   somevhat    limited,    oving  to  the  topogr^... 
Land   suitable   for   gardening  throughout   these   districts  ranges   in  ^-alue   fro".': 
02.OO.OO  to   OlOCO.OO  per  acre,  although  there   is    land  to  be   hod  at   lo'-r   -r 
higher   figures  than  those  given. 


Course   ?" .  Pa^g   3_  Lesson  2. 

The  Interior  Lowlan*-'   gardens  are  located  throughout  the  Sacramento, 
San  Joaquin  and   Imp-^rial  Valleys,  and   are  the  most   important  vegetable  gro-/- 
ing  sections   in  this   State.      Espftcjially  ,   is  thds  true   cf  the   land   in  the 
32craiDento  and  San  Joaquin  Valleys  locrted   between  Stockton,  Antioch  and 
Sacramento   on  the  islands   knoi^n  as  the  Delta,  -/here  the  annual  production  of 
vegetables   includes  40,000  to  50,000  acres   of   ;jotatces;    3000  to  5000  acres  cf 
celery;    several  thousand  acres   of  onions,  and  many  other  vegetables.     The 
location  of  these  gardens  is  in  many  '-Tay;  ideal  ,    for  the  growers  have  ';8.cces3 
to  an  unlimited   supply   of  cheap  vvacer,   and  the   poil   is  mostly   of  ?.  rich  peaty 
nature  which  does   not   pack  -.yhen  -.vet   and  -vhich  is  easily  vorked.     The  land   ^n 
this  locality  has  many  advantages   over  that   in  many   othjr   parts   of  the   Gtate  , 
such  as   cheap  water,  natural  ricKness   of  the   soil  and   shipping  facilitise. 
Cns  of  the  cliief  drav;backs   of  this  region     is  that   the   .^zro'ving  season   is   sor.e- 
v'hat   shorter  than  the  coast   sections    of  the  State,   for  this  locality  is  suc- 
lect  to   frosts  at   any  tin-.e   from  about   November  to  about   April.      The  valve   cf 
these  lands  generally  varies   from  C-150.0C  to   0500,00.   per  acre. 

The  Inperial  Valley   is    one   of  the  best    knorrn  vegetable  grcvinc 
districts  in  California,  and  there  hundreds   of  acres   of  such  vegetables  as 
melons,   onions,   potatoes,  cabbare  ,  etc..  a-e   prodviced  annually.     Thr3  soil    is 
of  -T    liph+    sandy  nature  and    of   goid   quality,   aithou,fr,n   it    i';   much  more   spotted 
v,'ith  alkali  than  the   soil   on  the   San  Joaquin   Islands.      The  i;;att:r   i^,  reasonablf 
and   the   supply  abundant.      The  chief  advantage   of  this   locality  lies   in  tlvj 
nVility  to  produce   early  spring  vegetables,    for,    on  account    of  the   heat,   frr 
crops  will  mature  more  quickly  than   in  the   colder   portions   of  the   State,   r 


C''"'"^^  ^'3.  Page  4,  Lessen  2. 

factor  which  is  very  essential  -hen   producinp  aarly  vegetables. 

One   of  the   disadvantage's   of  this  Iccality  is  the  inabilxty  to 
secure   proper   labor  durin?  certain   seasons    of  the   year,   and  the   gro-vers   have 
difficulty  in  sellxng  their  crops  to  advantage.      On  account    of  tne  extreme 
heat   m  summer,   it   is   iapossiDle  to  :5rov'  some   of  the  n.ore  tender  vev^etablss  , 
and   occasionally  cropc  are   lost   by  late   pprins   frosts.      Land   usee'    for  vegetable 
growing  m  this  section  generally  cotnmands  a  pri-e    of    frc~i  $100.00  to  $500.00 
jyer  acre,  although  ner.rer  town,  a  higher   nrice  f.-.an  thxs    is   often  receive--^'. 

The  district    kno'-fn  as   Interior   31ains   ar.d   Foothills  ,    comprises   the 
portion   of  the  State   lyint^  hetveer  the  Pierra  Nevada  arid  Coast   Range  mountains 
which  has  not  been  inclvided   in  the   Interior  Lor.'land>i  section.      There    is  also 
a   larpe  area   of  land   bordering  the   Colorado  River,  vhich  night  viell   be   classed 
i^n  this   district.      Although  this   includes  thousands   of  acres   of  land,  the 
amount    of  vegetables   produced   is   sraall   ccnpared   to  th?   foregoing  districts, 
J.'fych   of  this   land   is   of   poor   quality,   and  v;ater   is   often  difficult   to  get,  thu" 
limiting  the   gro'-ing  of  vegetables.      The   seasons  in  certain  parts   of  this 
district   are   short,  and  are    subject   to  early   fall   and   late   spring   frosts.      .;)uc-. 
(*^ops  35   cabbage,   potatoes,    etc.,  are   proauced  to  quite  a  large   exT.ent.  Land 
for  vegetable   growing  can   probably  be   Y.^A    for   from  v25.00  to  ;;3GC.OO  per  acre 
aithough   in   certain   favorable   localities    it  nay   be   necessary  to  pay  a  higher- 

oyice  tlxan  the   one  quoted. 

The  mountain  valleys   have  an   iaportant   bearing  upon  the  vegetable 
production   of  California,   and   inclu^^.e    i^rincipally  the   valleys   in  the   ncrthsrr. 
counties    of  the   State   and  the  valleys    of  the   Sierra  Nevadas .      Although:   ccnbider- 


Coy-*e  33.  Page  5.  Lepson  Z. 

able  acreaj-e  is  planted  to  vepet  '-sles  in  ihi-s  region,  it  is  not  regarded  as 
one  of  the  most  icportant  vegetable  producing  districts  m  this  State.   It 
has  a  number  cf  Pdvr.ntage-- ,  ho-vsver  ,  the  chief  or.3  being  that  the  roil 
fjenerally  is  of  very  good  quality  and  rater  is  cheap.   The  chief  disadvr.ntags'; 
to  this  section  are:  (1)  the  land  is  situated  mcstiy  in  small  pockets  or 
■valleys  which  are  expensive  to  'ork,  ■(?.)  the  season  io  very  short,  often  liable 
to  frosts  as  late  as  May  and  as  early  £.g  Cepterober,  (3)  the  crops  used  hav.? 
to  be  of  more  hardy  selection,  -uch  as  cabbape  ,  root  crops  and  celery,  (4) 
labor  is  often  difficult  -<,o   obtain,  and  the  shipping  facilities  are  not  al'.-^y? 
as  good  as  desired.  Land  suitable  for  vegetable  (^rowing  m  this  district  cen 
be  purchased  fron  $100.00  to  ,-300.00  per  acre  with  a  hi.^her  value  if  situat  jd- 
'•loser  to  tovn. 

Selection  of  Location  and  Choice  of  Crops.   In  choosing  the  locatio'; 
fcr  the  vegetable  (garden  and  in  the  choice  of  crops,  it  is  cf  very  vital  in- 
portance  that  a  good  selection  should  be  made,  taking  into  account  the  lollcv?- 
-j.n'y   conditions:  Markets,  soil,  '-ater  ,  climate,  capital  end  labor. 

Markets.  The  most  inportant  factor  in  the  selection  of  location 
and  crops  is  the  market,  for  unless  the  grov;er  has  a  satisfactory  outlet  fcr 
his  cropi,  it  will  be  found  difficult,  and  ir.  cany  localities,  ir.ipocsib]  e  to 
carry  en   this  line  of  agriculture  profitably.  There  are  two  classes  of 
markets;  the  miscellaneous  and  the  special.  The  riscellaneou?  mprket  is  the 
one  more  cor-Tmonly  used  by  the  vegetable  gardener,  and  ic  found  m  every  city 
and  larger  to'-m.   In  raicing  vegetables  for  this  market,  one  of  th.-  chief 
factors  is  to  get  the  crop  on  the  market  a  little  earlier  or  later  in  ir.^: 
season  than  the  other  gro'•'^2rG  ,  for  a  vegetable  which  is  a  little  out  of 


OoviTse   33.  Page  6=  Lesson  Z. 

season,  will  corrijian(5  the.  Viigh-.r  price.      The    quality   of  the  vegetables  should 
be  as   high  as  possible,  buf  thic  market,  as    far   as   quality  is  concerned,   is 
not   generally  as  discriinjnatinr'-  as  the   special  market.      Curing  the  middle 
of  the  season,   hov/ever  ,  v/hen  there  is   a  larpe   supply   of  vegetables  and  os- 
ppcially  'vhen  there  is  a  glut   in  the  market  ,  the   grower  v;ho  has  the   highest 
quality   of  vfjgetables   is  the   one  i:;ho  has  by  far  the  o.dvnntage   over  the   others. 

There   is,  especially  in  the  larger  cities,   a    cood  deiria)id    for 

of 
vesetablss  which  are /exceptionally   crood   quality,   and  this   is  termed   a   special 

narket.     The   grov;er  yho   is   catcrinf,  to  this  market   generally  does  not    sell 

his   produce   in  the  rerrvlar  raanner  to  the  wholesale   corr.mission  men,   but   deals 

directly  v.-ith  his   customers,    such  as   hotels,   restaurantr^  ,    clubs,   etc.      If  a 

business   of  this   character  csn  be  developed,   it    is   often  the  nost   satisfactory 

manner    of  disposing   of  the   crops',   for  the    prices   paid   are    generally  hi-her 

■than  "/hen  selling  to  the  vegetable' 'commission  nien.      In   order,  however,  that 

this  method  should  be  profitable,  the   city  should  be   of   fairly  If.rgo   size  so 

that  the  markets  will  be   quite   constant   in  their   demand  ,   and  the   grower 

should   pay   special   attention  to  the   quality  as  well   as  to   the  time   at  which  he 

has  the  vegetables   for   sale. 

On  account    of  the   vory   favorable    conditions   found   in  California   for 
th->   production   of  vegetables,   and   during  the   season    of  the   year   in  which   it 
is   impossible   to   grow  them  in  colder    sections    of   the   United   States,  there   has 
been  during  the   past    few  years   a  very   huavy  demand    for   California  vegetables 
for   shipment  to  the   east.      This'  hrls  'been  particularly  -/ell   illustrated  by  the 
to.'iato,   celery  and    onion   crops.      It   appears  to  the  writer  that   the   grower 


Govjrss  33.  page  7.  Lerson  2. 

should  seriously  consider  thiR   forra  of  handling  his   crop^  ,    for  by  so  doing, 
the  possibilities   seem  to  be  much  better  than  'vaen  depending  upon  the   local 
trade   for  the   consumption  of  the  vegetables.     There   are   hcv.-ever,   several 
factors  vvhich  should  be  thoroughly  v.-orltsd   out   in   order  that  tha  <?ro'A'cr  nay 
obtain  the  maxiiBurc  anount   from  his  crops,   for  the  expense   of  trensporting 
a  car  load   of  vegetables   from  here  to  the;  Ea?t   is  considerable,   so  that   un- 
less a  satisfactory  method   of  marketing  ie  developed  the  grower  ^"ill   often- 
times not  niake   expenses.     Where  proper   msfkL;tincr   organisations  have  bean 
f onaed  ,  the   gro'vers  have   received  very  good  profits   from  their  crcps.      This   i- 
uarticularly  true  of  the  celery  and  toiuatc   c;ro'-'er5'  association  v;hich  has  been 
in  operation   for   severcl  years.      In  the   fornation   of  these  associations,  a 
IccPl  packing  house  is   established   in  the    imr-.ediate  vicinity  v;here   the  veget- 
ables are  grown,  the  directors   of  which  are  the   leading  growers   of   that 
vegetable   in  that    locality.     At  these  houses  the  vegetables  are  taken,  sorted, 
and  packed  and   shipped   in  c'lr  load  lots  to  the  desired  points   of   sale.      Each 
grov/er  m  the  association  receives  his   portion   of  the   sales  according  to  th- 
amount   of  his  vegetables   in  the  car.      The   selling  vegetable  agent  usually  -dcf.;!! 
rith  the  association  as  a  unit,  and  not  'vith  the   individual  members.      Befor. 
such  organized  associations  were   formed,  th.e  merkct   condiuionc  were  not   under- 
stood,  30  that   if  a  very  favorable  merket  appeared   it  vres  very  apt  to  be 
glutted  vrithin  a  >7eek,  as  all  the  independent   grov^'ers  ivculd   ship  their  prod.-- 
to  it . 

In  or'^or  that  the   grwer  any  depend  on  this   kind   of  trarkco  ,  there 
should,   of  course,  be  considerable  acreage   of   one  kind   of  vogetabls    in  Ci 


Coiirsse   33.  Page  3.  Lesson  2. 

locality,   so  that   they  can  be    h&ndlod   by  car   load   lots.      Occasionally,   evjr 
this  mrt:iod   of  marketing  fails,    for  the  -ieraani    for  California  vegetablei^    Is 
deoenfitnt  larFely  upon  the  supply  that   i-?  to  bf   hvn  in  the  Eact .      iThen  gro-'.-- 
in^  voretatles   for  long  distance   shipments,   it   i -b  \*ery  ossurtial  that  they 
fihould   bs   of  excellent   quality  an-i  bi  handled  in   such  a  manner  tliat  they  v/ill 
be  bruised  as  little  as  possible    m  trancit.      In   crder  that   the   gro'-.'er  may 
receive  a  reraunerativp   sum  for  hi'^  vegetables,   ho  rriust    obtain  a  rood  price 
for  them  in  the  Eant.     Vegetables  shipped  to  the  East  are  used  .nostly  by  the 
v-e.==-lthier  class  of  people,  who  are  ;Tauch  nore   exacting;  ir.  thexr  deiT'anas  than 
is  the   ordinary  market. 

The  exact  distancb  i7hich  the   garden  should   ba   froui  the  market   de- 
pends largely  upon  the   :net;-iOd   of   handling  the  crops  and   the   size    of   the    -nar'.cut 
There  are   generally  four  classes   of  markets,  aaraely  ,   large  cities,   srnall 
cities,  tovm,  and  summer  resorts;   each   of  which  has   its  advantages  r.nd  dis- 
advantages.     In  growing  vegetables   for   larce   cities,  having  a  population  iron 
250,000  to   500, 000 people,  the   price   of   land   is    generally   so  high  in  the 
i>nnediato  vicinity  that   it    is  necessary  to  be   situated   several  miles   from 

th-    city   line.      It    is   hov.-ever,   better  to   oay   OlOOO.OO  per  acr-e    for   land 
from  three  to  five  miles   frora  the   city  than  ;::500.00  for  lani   situat^a 
situatedAen  to   fifteen  miles    cut.      Ha:;lin.:  to  market    for  the   mincol  Igneous 

vegctablo   grorrer   is   a  vcry  big  item,  anH   each  cilc   on  the   road    nas   c:    large 
influence  upon  the   not   returns    from  ^he   garden.      A   fcv  miles    further   frcn  the 
city   ho^^ever,    is   not    of   so  much  importance  no^^adays  as   it  ^vas    formerly,   for  ■:. 
^ood  manv   of  tne   leading   gro^^ers  ar.. hauling  their   produce  to  mark.T    .n  a-;tc 
truck."   rather   tlian  by  horses. 


Course- 33.  Pago   9.  Lpssoh  2. 

One   of  thi  main  advantages   of  a  market    cf  this   character   i-  that 
it    IS  so  large  tnat  tnp   gro-?;er  may  raise  an  unlimited   supply   of  any   kind   of 
.    VFgetable.      The  narkets   are   not   sc  exacting  as   m  the    smaller  cities  £ nd 
oo-.vns,   so  lie  does  not  nsvo  to  use  as  raucn  care    in  rrcving  or  handlm-;  the 
crops. 

For  the    grower  --ho  v-ishes.to  develop  a   syecific   market,  the  larger 
cities   hold  -nori  advEnxeges    for  thf^r^  f;.re   hur.dr.ds   of  clubs,    hotels,  restau- 
rants,  etc.,  v'hir.h  make  it   possible  to  obtain  good   prices   for  ve^e.tabl<=s  and 
assure  a   steaoy  r.ierket,     Anothsr  big  advantage  ••.'hich  the  grov/er  has   is  the 
opportunity   for  securing  p.    suffici/vnt   labor. 

Cue  disadvanta:Te   of  such  a  rasrkrt   is  that   l-^-nd  values  bein.^^  s-^  hiph, 
c '315 id er able  capital  is  require!  to  carry   en  sue':  a  business  and  in  uncertain 
seasons,   or  '.=rhen  the  markets   fail,  lar^e  .lo'^ses  are   liki-ly  to  result.        >. 
competition   is  so  keen  in  the  larger  cities  that   unless  th-i  grcver  cF.n  produce 
ids  vegetables  cheaply,  the  price    for  wliich  they  are   cold  '7111  not   pt.y  i'rr-  c:)st 
of  production. 

■  Tnc  snaller  cities  and  those  ranging  from  3000  to  ?5C,U'J0  popuia.ti  :. 
many 

have/advantages   for  the  market   gardner ,   rnd  under   ordinary  conaitions  he   co'jld 
probably  do  as  well   or  even  better,   in  S'^Ilinyto  these  cities  thsn   in  --de- 
pending on  thie  larger   ones   for  hit;  market.     Cities   of  this   else  pre  small 
enough  *o  thst    one  can  quite  quikly  become  ncquainted  «7ith  the  men  to  '■;hQ  : 
ip  sell  in,--  his  produce,  and  tne  demand    for  vegetables   is    ^o  >rrfi^    *■■-■'■.   '..• 
scoiild  have  no  difficulty  -in  finding  a  market.      It   is   also  large  emup-h  so 
that  0   special  market   cun  be  eacily  developed;    land  values  arc   not    as  i.i 


Co'irse   33.  Page   10,  Le-^scn  2. 

the  vicinity   of   t'lLse   citicy  ,   tis   in   larger   onur  ,   end    it    i'j   generally  not 
ner.es-ary  to  ho.ul    froiri  such  a  long  distance:. 

To'-nG   from  5'Ju  to  3000  population  generally  •viake  a  good  inarket   for 
the.  rai?collaneous  Vc?'..tablo   grov/.^r.      I-'^rkots    of  this   character  have   several 
edvanta'^cs   over  the  largtr   on&^-\   thd  principal    ones  being  th"it   compttition 
is  usually  not   as    k-^en  as    m  lerfrtr  Markets,  and   it   is  posrible  to  kno"' 
personally  the  men  'Pith  ^vhorri  the   provtr  is  dealing.     Thx    prices  pai^    for 
vegetables   in  a  raark-jt    of  this   c^iaracter  are    often  higher  than  in  the   iar^.er 
citie?^. 

There  are,  ho'-evcr  ,  certain    iisadvantag;e3  v-hich  should  not  be   over- 
looked, the  mam   one  bein-  the  difficulty  in  obtaining  sufficient  help  when 
desired.      O+'tentimes  ,   in  thi'j  business  ^h.s   gro"::;r    could  -.-ell   utilise    frora 
30  to   50   laborers    for  a  period   of   soveral  vreeks  ,  vZ-nen  after  ".'hich  time   ho  may 
desire   to  reduce  the  number  to   from  10  to  CO.      Wet    only   \:   the  number   of 
enployee-    in  a  small  to'-n  limited,   but   such   ones   as   are  to  be   had   are   ,-".'"'■  ?"^il-' 
not    skilled   in  the  methods    of   gardening;.      The  :r,arkets    in  a  tov'u   of   tnis 
character  are   eo;nev;hat   limited,  especially  for  certain  classes    of  ve"?etabl:^^  , 
and   m  planning,  the  crops  to   grow   for   soch  a  market  ,    one   should    t?  very  caref  .- 
not  -"0   overplant  any  one   crop  and  not   to  grow  sore  vej^.tables  •  f or  ^hicn  "he 

dtrriand   is  very  slight. 

There   is   also   one    other   class   of  .market  ■••'hich  is   not    often   ccr.s,^  .    . 
namely,   su-nmer  resorts,  but   these  niarkets  are   of  niuch  irripcrtance   in  certain 
sections   of' Calif crnia.      Among  the  advantages    of   such  a  rurket   is  the  hsav- 
demartd   for  ve^^etables   during  the   3u.;rnei  time  -hich,   under    ordinary   c  on'.v.  ions  , 


Course  33.  Pags  11.  Lessen  Z. 

is  the  b3st  time  of  the  year  for  the  grover.  The  winter  demand  for  vegetable? 

in  such  a  locality  is  generally  very  light  ,  making  it  poesxble  for  the  grover 

to  zo   arrange  his  viov'k   tliat  during  the  v/inter  season,  he  is  not  p.s  husy  as 

some  of  the  gardeners  vho  grc-j?  vegetables  for  r.arkets  of  other  clasc-es.  Ir 

also  gives  the  ^^o'-.'er  a  chance  to  re~t  his  land  during  certain  months  of  the 

year.  The  prices  paid  for  vegetables  at  suirmer  resorts  are  usually  much 

higher  than  in  general  markets  ,  be-cause  all  that  are  not  locally  grovn   have 

to  he  shipped  in  fron.  a  distance,  and  the  ;3sn  who  drives  to  town  v/ith  a  -'/cgor 

l')ad  of  fresh  green  vegetables,  has  much  the  advantage  ever  the  n.an  who  h£.s 

to  pell  the  crops  ^'hich  havr-  been  picked  for  several  days. 

Of  thti  disaovantages  ,  the  chief  one  is  the  rather  uncertain  market 

in  the  suiranor  owing  to  the  varied  nunbar  of  people  '^'ho  attend  such  resorts. 

During  cocl  suraners  there  would  be  less  demand  for  vegetables  than  \"hen  the 

seasons  vere  such  that  the  peopl-3  would  ba  forced  to  go  to  one   of  these 

places.  As  a  rule,  the  lan.i  in  the  vicinity  of  these  resorts  ^/hich  would  be 

suitable  for  vegstable  gardening  crops  is  ratlier  limited  ,  making  it  necessary 

to  grow  vegetables  on  several,  or  many  small  fields,  rather  than  on  one  large 

one . 

Q!T?STIQtTS 

1.  Farne  the  five  vegetable  grovdng  districts  in  California. 

2.  Nane  the  advantages  and  disadvantages  of  each  of  the  ve[:etable 
growing  districts. 

3.  In  developing  a  soecir.l  market  -./hat  nuct  be  considered? 

4.  •'hat  are  the  advantages  and  disadvanta;;es  in  selling  to  the 
larger  cities? 

5.  Give  throe  advantages  to  a  grov^er  having  a  "sumner  resort"  narket? 
•'hat  factor  of  uncert-dnty  r.ay  occur' 

Addres.  all  correspondent  to  thn  Dr'I^^IOM  or  AGRI.TL'T'RAL  ^inTJOAnoN 


4 


UNIVERSITY  OF  oALIFOR!\'IA 

COLLEGE  OF  AGRICULTURE 
AGRICULTURAL  SXPIRIMENT  SIhTION 
BERKELEY 


David  p.  Barrov/3,   President 
Tho:nas  F.   Hunt,    Dean 
K.   E.   Van  Herman,    Vice-Director 
and  Dean  University  Farm  School 


CORRESPONDENCE       C   0  U   R  S 

tN 
AGRICULTURE 


COURSE   33 
VEGETABLE  GARDENING 
By  S.   S.   Rogers 
Lesson  3. 


Address  all  comnuni cat ions   relative   to   the   correspondence  courses  to 

DIVISION  OF  AGRICULTURAL  EDUCATION 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

BERKELEY 


Course  33,  Page  2.  Lesson  3. 

Selection  of.Lpcation  an<[  Choice  of  Crops  (. C ont inued ) 
Soils.    It  is  of  greiit  in;j ort J.nc e  in  the  selection  of  a  location, 
and  the  choice  of  crorjs  ,  that  the  character  of  the  soil  be  considered,  Certain 
vcTietables  are  much  better  adapted  to  one  class  of  soil  than  to  another,  v.m 
the  same  is  true  regardinp:  the  selection  of  the  location.  There  are  many  types 
of  soils  ranginc^  from  the  heavy  adobe  to  coarse  gravel.   In  this  connecticn, 
five  classes  of  soils  may  be  made:  heavy  clay  loam  o:"  adobe,  light  sandy 
loam,  sand,  p;ravel  and  peat;  eac'fi  of  v/hich  has  its  advantrees  and  disadvantages, 

The  first  class  of  soil  given  above,  namely,  heavy  clay  loam,  is  one 
very  commonly  used  for  3;ro'..'ing  certain  kinds  of  vegetables.   Soils  of  this 
character  are  generally  rich  in  jjlant  food,  and  if  a  vssetabls  become;  estab- 
lished, its  groi'.'th  is  large  and  thrifty.  This  class  of  soil  is  especially 
suited  ,  (providing  it  is  handled  properly)  ,  for  such  crops  as  cabbage  .  cauli- 
flO'-ver,  beans,  etc.  The  main  disadvantage  of  soils  of  this  character  for 
gardening  is  that  they  v/iil  not  mature  a  crop  quickly,  and  are  very  hard  ?nd 
expensive  to  v7ork.  For  such  crops  as  tomatoes,  peppers,  melons,  etc.,  a  heavy 
clay  loam  is  not  considered  to  be  very  ^.",'ell  adapted,  for  it  has  a  tendency  to 
produce  a  vine  gro^rth  at  the  expense  of  the  quality  and  quantity  of  the  cro\). 
Soils  of  this  kind  are  also,  as  a  rule,  very  cold  in  "et  vreather ,  and  they  are 
so  compact  that  the  development  of  such  crops  as  ;.'Otatoes  and  the  various  rc^ct 
crops  is  apt  to  be  irregular. 

The  second  class  of  soils,  namely  light  sandy  loam,  is  ideal  for  the 
DPrket  gardener  and  probably  is  the  one  best  general  type  of  soil,  providinjj 
it  i=;  of  good  quality.   Soils  of  this  character  v/arm  quickly  in  the  spring,  and 


CfTfree  33.  Pa^e  3.  LS'S'^w  3. 

hold  moisture  well  during  the  summer.  They  are  also  easy  to  rork.  On 
account  of  the  rather  open  character  of  this  class  of  soil,  the  root  crops 
are  able  to  develop  much  better  than  in  the  heavier  soils.  Practically,  all 
kinds  of  vegetables  do  v/ell  on  this  type  of  soil.  Occasionally  soil  of  this 
character  will  be  deficient  in  plant  food  and  especially  humr.s  ,  so  that  as  a 
rule  it  should  be  fertilized  heavier  than  the  soils  of  the  first  class. 

The  third  class  of  soil,  sand,  is  one  which  is  commonly  used  for 
•■^rov-'inr  vegetables  in  California  and  has  many  advantages.  Soil  of  this 
character  is  especially  favorable  for  onions,  tomatoes,  etc.,  as  it  is  warm 
in  the  spring,  and  v/ell  drained  in  the  winter,  making  ideal  conditions  for 
grov.'ing  i7inter  vegetables.   The  chief  disadvantages  of  soil  of  this  character 
is  that  its  quality  is  apt  to  be  poor.  This,  however,  can  be  largely  overcome 
by  liberal  use  of  manure  ani  other  fertilizers.   Soils  of  this  character  do 
not  hold  the  moisture  especially  well,  and  if  situated  in  the  warmer  rection? 
of  the  state  they  sometimes  burn  the  vegetables  during  the  hot  season. 

The  fourth  class  of  soil,  gravel,  is  one  v/hich  under  ordinary  con- 
ditions, is  not  recommended  for  garden  use.  Soils  of  this  character  are 
generally  poor  m  quality  and  are  so  open  th:it  it  is  difficult  to  retain  the 
proper  amount  of  moisture  in  them.  Usually  gravel  soils  are  more  valviable  for 
use  during  the  '"inter  months  v/hen  the  rainfall  is  abundant  ,  xhan  during  the 
summer,  as  they  are  very  er.pensive  to  irrigate  on   account  of  the  large  amount 
of  water  which  they  will  hold,  and  the  ease  vyith  which  it  is  lost.   Of  all  the 
types  of  soil,  this  one  is  the  most  undesirable  for  the  vegetable  grov/er. 

The  fifth  clacs  of  soil,  peat,  is  in  many  respects  an  ideal  one  for 


Course  33.  •  page  4.  Lesson  3. 

the  vegetable  p-rov/er.  Thousands  of  acres  of  potatoes,  celery  and  onions  arf- 
raised  annually  in  California  on  coils  cf  thio  type.  A  few  of  the  advantaq;cf^ 
of  these  soils  are  that  they  arc  generally  rich  in  the  plant  food  elements, 
v;ork  well  and  the  drainage  is  excellent.  When  using  soils  of  this  character 
one  mur^t  be  very  careful  in  the  selection  of  crops  which  are  to  be  grovm. 
Potatoes,  celery  and  onions  are  gron-n  to  good  advantage  on  this  class  of  soil, 
but  such  crops  as  tomatoes  and  s^veet  potatoes  do  better  on  a  more  sandy  soil. 
One  of  the  chief  disadvantages  of  soil  of  this  nature  is  the  location.   It  is 
generally  loiv  swamp  ground,  making  the  question  of  drainage  more  important 
oftentimes  than  that  of  irrigation.  There  is  apt  to  be  considerable  alkoli 
in  'luch  places,  and  this  condition  should  be  carefully  looked  into  before  the 
ground  is  utilized  for  vegetables. 

Aside  from  the  question  of  quality,  there  is  another  thing  to  be 
considered  which  oftentimes  i'^  very  important.  The  depth  to  which  the  desir- 
able soil  is  to  bt  found  is  very  important,  as  oftentimes  the  top  six  inches 
of  soil  appears  to  be  very  good  from  an  agricultural  standpoint,  although  by 
digging  doivn,  a  very  undesirable  condition,  such  as  hardpan  or  an  open  gravelly 
strata  is  found,  '"/hile  the  depth  of  soils  is  probably  not  as  important  for  the 
vegetable  grov/er  as  for  the  orchardist  ,  yet  for  growing  ordinary  vegetables 
there  should  be  from  two  to  six  feet  of  good  soil.   Goil  v/hich  is  underlaid  by 
coarse  gravel  within  one  foot  or  so  of  the  surface  will  be  found  difficult  to 
retain  a  supply  of  moisture  suf ficieiTh  to  produce  certain  yields  ,  although  this 
can  be  overcome  to  a  certain  extent  by  planting  shallow  rooted  crops. 

If  other  conditions  are  favorable  for  the  location  of  the  garden. 


Course  33.  Page  5.  Lcsuon  3, 

and  the  soil  conditions  arc  net  too  undesirable,  these  miiy  bo  improved  greatly 
and  can  eventually  be  brought  into  very  satisfactory  conditions.  There  are  £ 
number  of  vegetable  gai'dens  '■;hich  are  no'-;  being  gro-vn  successfully  in  soils 
v;hich  formerly  produced  very  small  yields.   In  the  inprovement  of  the  soil 
there  are  four  methods  v/hich  may  be  considered. 

1.  Fertilizing, 

2.  Drainage  and  irrigation. 

3.  Proper  cultural  operations. 

4.  Rotation  of  crops. 

These  operations  v.-ill  be  taken  up  m  dttail  under  their  respective  headings. 

V'ater .   V/ith  a  very  fev:  except:.on'.-  ,  it  is  absolutely  iapossible  to 
grow  a  successful  vegetable  garden  in  California  v/ithout  an  irrigating  system, 
although  there  are  certain  sections  which  'Vill  produce  one  crop  during  the 
winter  such  as  cabbage,  vithout  irrigation,  and  there  are  also  a  fen-  gardens 
along  the  coast  v/here  the  rainfall  is  sufficient  to  grov;  crops  v;ithout  the 
application  of  'vatcr. 

Climate.   In  the  choice  of  crops  and  the  location  of  a  vegetable 
garden,  the  question  of  cliraate  is  alv/ays  very  important.   If  vegetables  arc 
to  be  gro'-'n  during  the  v-inter  ,  the  climate  vill  necessarily  have  to  be  milder 
than  v/here  crips  are  grown  only  during  the  sumner.  In  many  sections  of  Cal- 
if ornxa  it  is  possible  to  grow  such  vegetables  as  potatoes,  pea?,  etc.  ,  the 
year  around  vhile  in  other  parts,  the  v;intero  are  too  severe  for  grov/ing  any 
vegetables  at  this  season  of  the  year.   In  the  interior  of  the  State  the 
summers  are  so  hot  and  dry  that  such  crops  as  cMbbage  ,  lettuce  ,  cauliflower  , 


Course  33.  Page  6.  Lecson  3, 

etc.,  '•/ill  not  'lo  ";ell  if  matured  during  this  season.  As  a  rule,  the  railacr 
the  climate,  the  better  for  the  vet^etabls  gardener,  thus  enabling  him  to  gel 
his  produce  on  t'.ie  market  during  the  season  of  the  year  'vhen  it  is  impossicle 
to  produce  vegetables  in  other  sections  of  the  state.   In  many  respects  the 
climatic  conditions  are  the  most  important  ones  to  be  considered  n-hen  cnr-ooing 
a  location  or  in  the  choice  of  crops,  for  oven  thou,q;h  tha  soil  and  v'.iter  con- 
ditions be  not  ideal,  they  can  be  remedied  to  a  certain  extent  by  subsequent 
treatment,  but  v;hero  climatic  conditions  arc  unfavorable,  it  is  often  diffi- 
cult and  sometimes  impossible  to  change  these,  conditions. 

Capital  and  Labor.   It  is  very  important  that  the  grower  shall  have 
capital  enough  to  produce  his  crops  properly.  ^'Ihon   it  is  impossibl-?  to  hire 
men  or  to  get  the  most  desirable  implements,  it  is  difficult  to  produce  veget- 
ables that  v/iii  be  as  frood  in  quality  and  yield  as  heavily  as  ^7hen  they  have 
received  proper  attention.   The  amount  of  capital  for  the  grov/er  to  have  de- 
ponds  upon  the  size  of  the  garden,  location,  and  vhat  crops  he  is  to  raise. 
For  the  gardener  who  is  renting  land  near  a  small  to^/n,  probably  ,,-25.00  to 
olOO.OO  per  acre  n-ould  be  all  the  capital  ht;  would  require  until  his  crops  be- 
gin to  pay.  For  the  nardener  who  is  growing  vegetables  near  xhe  larger  citie-i 
where  land  is  higher,  and  competition  is  k-ener  ,  he  should  probably  have  from 
OlOO.OO  to  .)500.00  an  acre  to  start  with  in  order  that  it  be  possible  to  raise 
the  vegetables  under  the  best  conditions. 

Together  v.-ith  the  question  of  capital  is  the  labor  supply,   ouch 
crops  P''  onions,  celery,  etc.,  require  more  or  less  hand  cultivation,  making 
it  necessary  to  employ  a  considerable  amount  of  labor  during  certain  seasons  of 


Course  33.  '  page  7,  Lesson  3. 

the  year,  '.vhile  other  crops  such  as  potatoes  can  be  p;rown  "dth  much  less 
la'Dor.  Some  growers  make  the  mistake  of  planting  a  crop  which  will  require 
considerable  labor  -/here  tho  desired  amount  of  h'ilp  is  not  available. 

Fertilizinfi :   Manures.  The  use  of  nanure  to  the  miscellaneous 
vegetable  groip;er  is  generally  of  as  much  importance  as  any  one  item,  and  it 
is  impossible  to  carry  on  a  market  gardenin?  business  r/ithout  a  sufficient 
amount  of  this  kind  of  fertilizer.  The  gardener  generally  keeps  a  large  pile 
of  manure  on  his  place  in  a  compost  heap  and  there  is  no  one  thing  v.'hich 
probably  influences  the  quality  and  health  of  his  crops  more  than  does  the 
amount  of  manure  '-'hich  is  used.  There  are  many  kinds  of  manure,  the  most 
ecmmon  being  that  from  horses,  co^-s  ,  sheep,  hogs  and  poultry.   Of  all  these, 
the  horse  manure  is  by  far  the  most  commonly  used,  and  gives  very  satisfactory 
results.   The  most  desirable  manure  '-/ould  probably  be  a  mixture  of  horse  and 
poultry,  or  horse  and  hog  manure.   The  least  desirable  kind  is  that  from  cov/s, 
for  this  is  rather  low  in  the  plant  food  elements  and  uill  not  improve  the 
physical  conditions  of  the  soil  nearly  as  much  as  will  that  from  the  horse 
stable. 

In  communities  in  which  the  to'^ns  are  small  and  there  are  a  large 
number  of  vegetable  gardens  in  the  vicinity,  it  is  oftentimes  difficult  to 
obtain  sufficient  quantities  of  nanure,  so  that  the  m.ain  supply  for  the  market 
gardener  generally  comes  from  the  cities.  This  is  usually  contracted  for 
by  the  growers  in  advance  at  ton  rates,  the  prices  varyinr,  according  to  the 
demand  nnd  local  supply.   In  Los  Angeles  the  prices  will  average  about  31.00 
per  ton  F.  0,  B.  the  cars.   In  San  Francisco  manure  is  to  be  had  for  less  then 
this.   Oftentimes  the  cost  does  not  exceed  ^.bO   to  '},7b   per  ton.   Just  how 


Course  33.  Page  8.  Lesson  3. 

much  the  p;ro'7er  can  afford  to  pay  for  manure  depends  upon  hi?  local  conditions. 

If  he  ha?  a  lonp,  haul  to  the  garden  he  cannot  afford  to  pay  as  much  as  if 

the  haul  v/a'S  •shorter. 

There  are  many  different  nethodg  of  handling  manure,  many  of  -'hirh 

have  their  advantages  and  disadvantage?.  Vi/ht-re  it  is  possible,  better  r-r-sults 

v;ould  be  had  by  taking  the  manure  directly  from  the  stable,  spreading  on  tlie 

ground  and  plowing  under  immediately,  for  by  so  doing  tlie  loss  in  fertilising 

value  is  brought  down  to  a  minimum.   This,  however,  is  verv  often  impossible 

on  account  of  the  labor  it  involves  and  it  is  not  al-vays  convenient.  Probably, 

the  next  best  v;ay  of  handlin.-  it  would  be  to  dump  it  directly  from  the  "table 

into  a  covered  pit  v/here  it  is  protected  from  rains  and  sun.  The  most  common 

method  that  the  vegetable  gardener  practices  in  handling  manure  is  to  take  it 

from  the  stable  and  pile  it  in  large  piles  in  the  fields.   It  is  generally 

left  here  until  the  grower  is  ready  to  have  it  spread  on  the  ground  and  plov;ed 

under.  The  manure  is  spread  on  the  field  in  three  v/ays ;  the  first  by  the  use 

of  a  mechanical  manure  spreader,  tne  second  by  spreading  it  directly  from  th.e 

wagon,  and  the  third  uy  placing  it  in  small  piles  from  the  wagon  and  spreading 

on   the  field  later.   Of  the  three  methods  used,  the  first  is  by  far  the  best, 

for  the  manure  is  put  on  much  more  evenly  ,  and  in  a  much  finer  condition  than 

v/hen  it  is  spread  v/ith  the  fork. 

In  the  general  market  gardens  r;here  vegetables  are  grc-n  undt-r 

crC';j 
irrigation,  manure  is  generally  applied  at  any  time  during  the  season  after  the  / 

has  been  removed.  During  the  summer  as  soon  as  the  manure  is  spread,  the 

zrcund    should  be  irrigated  and  f.-.e  r::a:Vj.re  ];lc'/;ed  under  immediately,  lor  the 


Course  33.  -i'fife-^.  Le^'^^ott  3. 

quality  is  much  impaired  by  leaving  it  exxfi*^d   to  tm   hot  '\ry   winds. 
Occasionally,  a  second  irrigation  is  given  in  order  to  hasten  the  rotting  of 
the  manure.  After  the  ground  is  in  a  satisfactory  condition,  it  is  worked 
down  inunediately  and  planted.   If  it  is  desirable  to  use  the  land  immediately 
after  fertilizint^ ,  not  allowing  time  enou:~h  for  the  rrenure  to  rot,  a  man 
generally  follows  behind  the  plow,  and  fills  the  bottoD  of  the  furrov;  v/ith 
the  manure,  and  by  so  doing  it  is  practically  all  covered  to  a  depth  v;hich 
makes  it  possible  for  the  planting  of  the  seed  immediately.  IVhere  irrigation 
is  not  practiced,  the  manure  should  not  be  spread  on  the  land  until  Fall,  for 
by  plowing  it  under  in  the  summer  it  ndll  not  rot  readily,  unless  there  is  a 
sufficient  quantity  of  moisture  in  the  soil,   -'/herever  possible,  it  is  better 
to  put  the  manure  on  the  ground  during  the  '-.-inter,  tut  oftentimes  v'nen   grov/ing 
mixed  vegetables,  it  is  impossible  to  have  all  the  land  vacant  at  this  season. 

The  quantity  of  manure  to  use  varies  considerably,  and  depends  on 
the  character  of  the  soil,  crops  wliich  are  to  be  groi'/n,  and  the  supply  of  . 
manure.  '7hen  gro'ring  such  a  crop  as  cabbage  it  is  impossible  to  get  too 
heavy  an  application  of  .manure  on  the  soil.  Some  growers  use  as  high  as 
seventy-five  tons  per  acre  '-/hen  this  crop  is  to  be  grovm.   Such  crops  as 
cauliflower,  peas,  beans,  Icttucf.  ,  etc.,  also  require  heavy  applicationf;  of 
manure,  while  potatoes,  tomatoes  a.nd  melons  are  injured  if  too  much  raonure  is 
used.  Tor  groiving  the  ordinary  vegetables  and  'vhere  the  supply  ivill  v;arrant 
it,  the  garden  should  have  from  fifteen  to  thirty  tons  of  manure  per  acre  per 
year.   Some  grov/ers  make  a  practice  of  putting  on  fifty  tons  each  year  '-.'hile 
others  get  along  'vith  from  five  to  ten  ton.  Large  quantities  of  manure  arc 


Course  33.  Page  10.  Lesson  3. 

not  put  on  at  one  time,  but  three  or  possibly  four  applications  are  made 
during  the  season,  putting  it  on  at  the  rate  of  ten  to  fifteen  tons  per  acre 
at  eech  application. 


QUE3TI0MS 

1.  What  is  the  best  type  of  soil  for  the  miscellaneous  vegetable 
grower? 

2.  Name  the  five  classes  of  soil  mentioned  in  the  lesson,  and  give  the 
advantages  and  disadvantages  of  each. 

3.  Hov/  may  the  soil  be  improved? 

4-.  vihBt   is  the  irjportanre  of  stable  manure  to  the  'niscellaneou?  veretable 

gro'srer? 
•5.  Ho'v  and  in  what  quantities  is  manure  generally  applied: 


Address  all  correspondence  to  the  DIVISION  OF  AGRICULTURAL 
iDUCATICN,  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA.  gERi'a:Li:Y  ,  CALIFOFi-IIA. 


IKIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

coLLscE  OF  agricultito; 

AGRICULTURAL  EXFERI!.IENT  STATION 
BERKELEY 


Dav<.d  P.  Barrows,   Preai;  ont 
Hh .   J.3  /orcyl-h  Hunt,    Oeen 
H     E-  Van  lioriTT.ns   Vioe-Director  and 
Dean  University  Farm  Schoci. 


CORFffiSFONDENCE       COURSES 
IN 
AGRICULrJRE 


COURSE  XXXIII 

VEGETABLE       GARDEIIING 

By  S.  S,  Rogers 
(Revised  January,   1919) 

Lesson  4, 


Address  all  corajunications  relative  to  the  correspondence  courses  to 

DIVISION  OF  AGRICLLTUR.L  EDUCATION, 
UI^IVERSITY   OF  CALIFORLIIA , 
BERICELEY . 


Course  33    '         .    ;.:      P^-.'^c  2  Lesson  4 

Iri-ic:.'.-fcj.  jr.  Hot  Beds  .  Ccld  Franes.. 

Irrir"'.tion.     I'.'ith  xhc  except: -n  of  very  few  localities,   it  is  impossib 

to  grow  p.  vegetable  y-rdeh  without  irri^;?.tion,  and  cor3ucnly  the  question  of  the 

".vatcr  supply  ic  as  Di.:po:'tant  as   the  cciictrtion  of  thn  soil.     In  fact,  the  v.-atcr 

quc't-'.on  is   such  a  serious   one  in  this  typo   of  agriculture  that  the  supj^iy  should 

b.    _:nor/n  before  any  vegetables  a'-e  planted.      There  are,  hov/over,  a  fev/  conditions 

v/hich  nust  be  coniiiderci  along  with  the  irrigation.     V/hercver  irrigation  is  prac- 

rr.r.d  c 
:-iced  -■■■  :re  should  be  sone  provision/for  the  carrying  off    of  the  surplus  water. 

This  i£.  riore  ii:portant  ?;here  the  soil  is  heavy  and  net  well  drained  than  in  the 
lighter,  Korc    open  soilj.      Cv.  --irrigation  is  "  ^.rnf'il  .tc  certain  crops,  and  the 
a:-.iount  of  -vatcr  used  for   each  crop  should  be   .cgulated  accordj.ng  to  the  vegetable 
v/hioh  are  being  grov/n,     Tonatoec,        ".ens  and   oWoct  potatoes,   if   given  an  over- 
supply   of  water,  -./ill  go  to  vine  at  the  expense   of  the  yield.     For  such  crops  as 
cabbage,   cauliflower,   lettuce,  beets,   etc.,   it  is   seldxi  possible  to  give  too  nuc 
vi^atcr  if  drcj.nage  is  ad::;uatc.     A  third   condition  which  is   quite  cotinion  and  vihich 
should  h^   guarded  agr.inst  is  the  substitution  of  irrigation  for  cultivating,     Scr. 
growers  thinl:  that   as  long  as  there  is  i;cj.sture  in  the  soil  cultivation  is   i«inocc» 
sary,  and  instead   of  thoroughly  stiri'ing  up  the  soil  when  it  has  begun  to  dry   out 

they  will  apply  noro  vatcr.     This  contin  ed  water j.ng  and   f;.ilure  to  have  the  soi] 

I 
properly  stirred  up  and  aerated  has  a  bad  influence   on  the  vegetables  arji   cspecir^ 

ly  if  the  soil  is   of  a  heavy  nature  and  apt  to  pack  vhcn  v/et.     In  the  irrigation 

r.ost  crops  it    is  a  nuch  hotter  prxtico  to  irrigate  sold  on  and  thoroughly,  wottir 

dec^J 
the  C'        to  a  depth  of   from  ttvo  to  five  foot  and  preserving  the  soil  noisture  by/i 

thorough  cultivating  rr  thcr  than  by  irrigating  often  and    cultivati;-''^  sold  on.   It  :■ 


Ccursc  33  Prge  3  Lecson  4 

very   coiranon  practice  ospecir.lly   for  the   one  who  has  not  hr.d   experience  in  irriga- 
tion, to  put  the  water   on  the  soil  in  such  a  raanner   or  in  such  smal''    quantities 
that  it  does  not  soak  dovni,   and  although  the  top  fev;  inches  are  catura.ted ,  very 
little  water  has   penetrated  to  a  depth  of  two   feet.     For  those  who  are  unaccustomed 
-'■■r   irrigation,   it  is  a  very   good   plan  to  bore  holes   in  different  portions    of  the 
field  and  see  how  far  the  water  has  soaked  down. 

The   following  methods   of   irrigating  vegetables  are  practiced   in  Cali- 
fornia,  ea.ch  having  its  advantages  and  disadvantages   over  the   others.     Thencthods 
are:      1.  Raised  beds;   2,   Sunken  beds;   3.   Furrows;  4.   Checks;   5.   Permanent  ditches; 
5,   Sub-5.rrigation;   7.   Sprinklinr<;, 

1.      Growing  vegetables    on  raised  beds   is  a  very  comnon  form  of   irriga- 
tion practiced  by  the  California  market   gardener.     It   is  mainly  used  during  the 
winter  months   and  v/hen  growing  such  crops  as   lettuce,   and   spinach,  whose  quality 
would  be  injured  if  the  tops   of  the  plants  were  covered  with  ■crater.     There  are 
several  methods   for  constructing  these  raised  beds,  depending  largely  upon  the 
crops   grown,   character  of  the  soil,  and  the  slope   of  the  land.      One   of  the  mosx 
common  forms   of  raised  bed   for  such  crops  as  beets,  turnips,   etc.,   j.s  made  oy 
throwing  up  a  ridge  from  tv/o  to  f otir  feet  in  width  and  the  length  depending  upon 
the   slope   of  the   land.     Y/here  the   slope   is   so   great  that  by  havi.ng  long,   atj-aight 
ridges   the  water  would   run  too  swiftly,   not   allov;ing  it  to   soak   into  the  so.\j. 
sufficiently,    or  where  the  soil  takes   up  water  very  slowly,  it  will  be  found  more 
advantageous  to  make  a  large  number  of   short  ridges  a.nd  cutting  them  so  thax  xhe 
water  zigzags  back  and  forth  through  them.     In  making  the  raised  beds    one  should 
first   level  the   soil  and   put    in  a  small   irrigation  uitch  every   30  feet.     Half  way 
between  these  irrigation -ditches,  there  should  be  a  ridge  thrown  up  about   one  to 
one  and   one-half   feet  high  so  as  to  prevent  the  water   from  spreading  over  too 


-'^"■^"e  33  Pa,c.e  4  Lesson  4 

auch  ground.      The   exr.ct  width   of  these  beds  depends  wholly   upon  the   slope   of  the 
land„     If  this  is  done,  the  land  between  these  ridges  and  ditches  should   be  re- 
leveled  v/ith  a  hoe  and  should   the     soil  be  too  hard  it  shculu  be  spaded   or  culti- 
vated so  that   it  is  in  an  excellent  condition  of  tillage  before  going  further. 
\Vlien  planting  seeds  such  as  beets,  turnips,   spinach,   etc.,  they  should  be  broad- 
casted while  the  ground   is   level.     The  grov/er  should  then  go  over  the  field  with 
a  7   to  lO-iach  hoe,  throwing  up  the  beds   so  that  they  will  be   fron   one  to    one  am 
one-half   or  sore  feet  wide,   keeping  the  distance  between  the  beds  the  width  of 
the  hoe.     The  seed   is  covered  by  the  construction  of  the  beds-     After  they  have 
been  so  made  the  tops  nay  be  snoothed  v/ith  a  hoe  or  rake  and  the  height  varied 
from  three  tc  six  inches.     It   is   imperative  that  too  nuch  soil  is   mt  thrown  upon 
the  ridges  as   it  will  cover  the  seeds  too  deeply,  and  a.  layer  from  two  to  three 
inches  deep  v;ill  be  found  most  satisfactory. 

The  width  of  the  ridges  depends   largely  upon  the  ability   of  the  soil 
to  take  up  moisture  and   it  should   not  be  so  wide  that  the  noisture  fron  either 
side  will  not   soak  to  the  middle.     Under  ordinary  conditions  a  bed   one  and   one- 
half   feet  v;ide  is  suitable.     It   is  always   good  to  cut  the  ends   of  the  beds  with  a 
hoe  in  such  a  way  that  the  water  will  zig-zag  between  them.     It   is  therefore  best 
to  cut  the  end   of  overj^   other  bed    on  the  sar.:c  side.     17hen  irrigating,  the  water 
is  applied  to  the  bed   on  cither  side   of  the  rj-dges, 

2,      The  !5unkon  beds  are  made  similar  to  the  raised  beds,  v/ith  the  ex- 
ception thjat  the  plants  are  grown  on  the  level  instead    of    on  the  ridges,  and  the 
ridges  are  thrown  up  every  15  to  20  feet   in  order  to  hold  the  water.     These  are 
similar  to  snn.ll  alfalfa  checks.     They  arc  very  popular  with  the  vegetable  grower 
in  this  State  and  as   jjnportant  as  the  first   type.     Those  beds  arc  used  principal- 
ly for  the  root  crops,   onions,  etc.,  during  the  summer  months^      There  arc  severci 


C curs 9  33  Page  5  Lesson  4 


o^ 


j.i-thGds   -"ar  their  coridtrar,ti.on,  the  most  comniOn  one  bt;ing  rov;s   cf  t>eTe  beds  rvr- 
ning  through  the  field,     Zach  bod   is   generally  made  about   tr/oxicy  feet  long,  av/. 
from  tv/elve  to  twenty   i'eet  -vid    ,  the  actual  \:u  '  I:  ar.d   l-Diig-oh  dcper.di.rz  v;holly  vvzr 
the  character   of  the  soil,   crop.'-.,  etc.     They  c   e  ooKGtructed   firr>t  by  -nal'-i:'-!': 
levee  down  which  the  xvater  ic  to  b,       m,  by   r-,>;eral  rounds   of  a   plo;/.     On  oit..ier 
side   of  these  rr.aiK  ditches  lie  the  beds  v/hich  can  be  made  by  plov/ing  the  furrow  on 
two  sides   of  the  bed  and  naking  the  other  t'.vo  sides  by    :he  use  of  the  hoe.     Tnese 
beds  are  generally  uade  from  four  to  eight  inches  deep.     The  most  ccnirion  raxstake 
nade  by  the  beginner  is  -.ihat  these  levees  are  made  so  small  that  \;hen  they  arc 
first  wet  either  by  rains   or  by   irrigation  they  molt  away  until  scarcely  any  ridge 
is   left.     The  general  custom  is  to  make  these   ievecs  about   one  foot  through  at  the 
.ottom  and  about   one  foot  high, 

A  few  of  the  advantages   of  growing  vegetables   in  beds   of  this   charac^c^ 
are:-  the  ease  with  which  they  can  be  irrigated,  the  speed  with  which  they  can  be 
made,  and  soil  handled  properly  will  hold  moisture  longer  than  v.'hen  the  raised- 
beds  ar     used.     A  few  cf  the  disadvantages  are  that  during  the  winter  the  drain- 
age is  not  as   good  with  this   form  as  when  the  raised  beds  are  used,  ^nd   ix   is   ne- 
cessary to  hoe  the  soil  thoroughly  after  each  irrigation  until  the  plants  have 
grown  large  enough  so  that  the  surface  is  ent:''-''-^ly  covered  by  the  foliage,     Ii 
the  soil  is  irrigated  and  rot  cuiti-....cd ,   it  will  soon  pack  around  the  veget-bls-, 
and  when  it  is   of  a  heavy  nature  it  will  seriously  check  their  growth.     It   is   no. 
as   important  to  cultivate  after  each  irrigation,  however,   if   the  soil  is  sandy. 

3,     T.^en  growing  such  vegetable-3  as  tomatoes,  melons,  potatoes,   etc., 
the  irrigating  is   general?.y  done  by  running  v;at.- r  in  furrows  between  the  rows   of 
plants.     This  is   in  rnauy  ways  an  ideal  method  and   is   one  which  is  in  conmon  use 
tl-iroughout  California  both  la  the  summer  and   in  the  winter.     When  making  these 


Course  33  Page  5  Lesson  4 

furrows,  care  must  be  taken  net  to  p-at  them  too  near  the  vegetables,   for  by  so 
cioing,  nany   o:   their  roots  are  out   off,  -/hich  seriously  checks  their  grovrth. 
These  f-Lirrov;s  Day  be  made  by  a  single  plow  or  lister,   and  they  should  vary  in 
depfoh  from  six  to  twelve  inches.     After  they  have  been  used  they  are  generally 
filled  in  and  neu  ones  made  each  time  the  field  is   irrigated.     The  advantages    of 
these  farroi.7s  are:  they  are  easy  to  construct;   if  the  slope   of  the  land  is   gradxnl. 
the  T/ater  may  be  applied  so  that   the  si^-face   of  the  soil  directly  around  the  plants 
xs  not  v;et;   the  -water  v.'ill  soak  down  to  a  considerable  depth. 

4.      Occasionally   such  vegetables   as   cabbage,   and  root  crops   are   grown 
in  checks  quite  sixiilar  to  those  used   for  alfalfa,  although  as  a  rule  they  are 
nuch  snaller.     This  ncthod,  while   it   is   used  to  some  extent,   is  not  very  common  in 
the  gardens   in  California.     V/here  the  local  conditions  arc  favorable,  this   form  of 
irrigation  can  be  used,   but  u>:der  ordi-xiry  conditions   it  is   net  to  be  recommended. 
The  disadvantages  arc  that  a  l-^(^cr  amoi-,nt    of  '.vater   is  wasted  than  in  any   other 
method   of   irrigation,  the   soil  has  to  be  thoroughly   level  if   satisfactory  resvilts 
are  to  be  obtained  and  the  soil  will  pack  badly  around  the  vegetables  unless  they 
arc  cultivated  as  soon  as  possible  after  irrigation,     Ilany   of  the  ^-egetables'  are 
materially  injured  by  having  the  water  directly  around   the  plants.      The  advantages 
of  this  method  arc  that  a  larger  amount   of  watjr  may  be  put   on  the  soil  than  by 
~ny   other  nothcd.     Vegetables  v.'ill  need  a  less   number   of   irrigations,  and   certain 
vegetables  that  require  large  amounts   of  water  during  the  hot  wer.th  r  will   grov: 
more  rapidly, 

5.     Tf/here  the  water  supply  in  the  coil  is  abundant,   such  as   is   fourd 
throughout  the  poat  bogs  and  8V/iu:ipy  land  situated  through  the  delta  sections,  uiic. 

'.■•,1..      .  f  .    ..      ,  ,         ;     ■ 

in  some  portions  of  Orange  and  Los  Angeles  Counties,  and  especially  where  the  soil 


Course  33  Pp.ge  7  Lesson  4 

is   of  a  peaty  nature,  the' grov/ers   commonly  put  down  a  systeu  of  ptin::r.inent  ditches 
through  wh3.ch  the  water  c'.;n  be   .'un,  and   owing  tc  the  character  cf  the  soil,  the 
-.vater  'vill  seep  out  into  th^  field   for  a  dist-.,.iCe  of  twenty  to  fifty  feet.     1  .ese 
uD-tches  are  made  either  by  hand   or     ^    a  ditoi.  digger  which  is  m;  de  expressly  for 
this  purpose;   the  depth  varies  Iron  four  to  five  feet,  depending  upon  the  depth  of 
the  soil,  ard   the  width  from  one  to  two  foot.     YJhen  it  is  desirable  to  irrigate 
the  field,  water  ir.  run  dovm  those  ditchos  after  the  ends  have  been  stopped  until 
the  desired  amou;Tfc  has  seeped   into  the  soil.     This  v/atcr  is  generally  put  into  the 
ditches  by  means   of  a  siphon  or  pumped  from  a  well.     \'/hon  the  land  has  been  irri- 
gated sufficiently,  tho  water  is  either  punpcd   out   or  run  out  by  gravity.     This 
IS  probably   one   of  the  cheapest  nethods   for  irrigating;   and  whore  the  s lil  and 
water  conditions  are  favorable,   it  is  a  practice  which  is  to  be  reconnended.     The 
main  disadvantage  of  a  systen  of  this  character  is  the  inconvenience  whj.ch  the 
open  ditches  nako.     Another  disadvantage  of  this  sys-fcem  is  that  the  soil  adjoini.ng 
thc  di-L     ;  is  apt  to  receive  too  nuch  water,  while  that  in  the  center  does  not  r-- 
coive  enough. 

6.     There  is  another  systen  of  irrigation  in  cor.i:-on  practice  sinilar  to 
the  pcrnancnt  ditches,  where  the  vegetables  rr     watered  by  sub-irrigation,      Th3^ 
system  nay  be  put  in  in  tv;o  ways,     i^irst,  by   laying  tile   or  sono   other  form  of 
drainage  in  the  soil  and  covering  it,  putting  the  lines  close  enough  together  sc 
that  all  the  soil  will  be  irrigated  from  then  and  deep  enough  so  that  they  v/ill 
not    interfere  with  the  various   field   operations,   such  as  plov;ing,  harvesting,  ctco 
The  main  disadvantage  of  a  systen  of  this  type   '.s  the  cost    of  installation  ar  .   oc- 
casionally the  drainage  will  become  stopped,  jjnpalrinr^  the   flow,  making  repairs 
quite  expensive.     Another  method  for  putting  water  over  the  soil  tlirough  sub- 
irrigation  and    one  whjxh  is  very  commonly  practiced,   is  by  constructing,   litches 


Course  33  jPr.ge  7 -a  LeE3C.\  4 


■  -<t 


'Qr   7'o.son  c.t   ar.   -.ritorv  lJ.   of   -'ran  t\v§r;ty  to   foi>ty   feet,   dov-n  vhich  the     ater  is 
TV         After  xhe  fieli   has   he,.;:,  .'-.r.rvested  t/.o&e  uitchas   r'.re   filled   i>a  c.r.d   the   fol~ 
lowing  yer^r   othsi-s  c-r^i  mnde  wherever  iuost  converient.     This  forn  of   irrigation  is 
•.■.;ed  vj]-       soil  ,ind  moisture  conditions  are  f  r.vorable ,  and   it  nrs  the  advantage  tha 
lit  the   :-nC.   of  th  .   se'^.son  they  may  he  filled   in,  and  the  field   oe  uorked  irsuch  ur-ro 
readily  thr.n  v/he^-e  pernianent  c'-.tches  are  locatp-i^     c.-ie   of  the  r.iain  disadvantages  ; 
the  c cot.  01   diggir.g  these  ditches,  but  this  i     lov;  enou5;h  so  that  their  use  is  not. 
Xjro."..ihj.tivc, 

7,      The  Ir.s'C  and  probably  the  least  used   forin   of  irrigation  in  the  vegc 
table  gardens   of  Califorria  it;   syrinkling.      Thi.-;  f orn,   'lovever,  is  beconing  nore 
connoiily  used,  but  it  prcbahly  '.vill  never  be  fn  general  urc,  as   sone   of  the   other 
nethods  v/hich  hav..  been  nentioned.     The  v/ater  is  applied  by  running  over-head  pip- 
T/hj-ch  h.'.ve  holes   in  thci.:,  ard  v-h,..r;  the  v. ...or  is  turned   on  this  acts  very  nuch  lik( 
a.  lavm  oprirkler.     The  riain  advantage   of  this   sycte:r.  is   that  the  anount   of  v/ater 
_jut    on  the  field   or  any  part    ^f  it  can  b.    ccrtroiled  absolutely,  and  can  be  appli( 
V3ry  quickly  and  easily.     This   is   oftentimes  an  advantage  when  snail  seed  h"S  hre* 
plant.ed  and  the  v/oather  has  bocouc  suddenly  hot  ■•.nd  dry,     hy  the  use   of  the  sprinl 
iQr  the  top  in^h  or  so   of  soil  can  be  kept  noist  and  by  sprinkling  oiiien,   and  put' 
tinr:  I      \  snail  p_r.C!unt    of  water  the  ooil  will  not   pack,     Ai: other  advantage  this 
aysten  has   over  thc,,.othorf   is  that   it  does  net  require  nearly  as  nur.h  water  as  v;h 
ibc   other  systons  rjro  usee,     j.:   is   often  an  a     .intagc-  oo  wot  slightly  ths  tops   of 
cf   certain  vegetables  as  this  has  sonewhat    c     a  rufroshing  influence   upon  th  ;:i, 
nhtreae,   if  they  v/or©  flooded  the        'oct  rai  ..;  b?  undc3J.rablo.     By  using  the 
sprinkling  ayst.pui^  tl-j.s  is  pos£sihlo.     The  nain  disadvantage   of  this  nothod  is  the 
cost    of  its   inst'-T'n-'- '.(-.>"  r./hich  ir.   considerablo.     These  pipes  are  nore  or  less   of 
bother  when  cultivating:  the   field  and  .quite   often  they  arc  broken  off  by  a  carcle 


it 
t 

sin 


Cowoe  33  Page  3  Locoor.  4 

■ucanster,  v;hich  r.e".-.-is  consiieriblo  work  ar.d   cxpenoe  before  ;.t  :-.o  again  ;.n '.vorltiiig 
order. 

Hot  Bedc>     A  :.ot   bec\  is  a  sti-ucturo  co  no/ o  th;:.t  tho  plants  r/hj-ch  are  g  -yjv- 
ing  in  it  are  artificiully  heatec.,  and  arc  well  protected   fron  outciue  influeiices. 
There  are  several  inethods  for  conLitructing  a- hot  bed,   the  choice   of  which  dependc 
upon  the  local  ccndf^tionc ,  aoanon  of  the  year,  and  the  kind   of  crops  fo:.   -ahich 
th^-'  arc  to  be  ucecU     Tho  hot  bed  to  the  market   gardener  is  an  absolute  necessity 
if  he  is  grovAng  vegetables  r/hioh  require  transplanting,  for  by  its  use  such  crops 
as  tomatoes,  peppers,   ogg  plants,   etc.,  can  be  put   or.  the  market  at  a  nuch  earlier 
tine  th  ^i  if  this  rnethod  of  erov^ing  -jas  not  in  use.     3y  the  use   of  the  hot  bod  it 
±r  possible  to  have  the  plants  ready   for  transplanting  to  tho  field   inrjediately 
after  tho  heavy  frosts  have  disappeared.     ^Tithout  the  aid   of  these  beds  it  would 
be  :.npo3s5.ble  to  even  scv;  the  seed  vith  any  a.    ^raiiCe  of  results  before  this  tine. 
The  nost   coraViOr.  form  of  bed  used   in  California  is  the   following:   an  e::- 
•xavation  is  dug  five  to  ni^  feet  v/ide,  2-^-  foet  deep  and  as  lon*^  as  desirable.     As 
u  rule,  a  bed  about  t\7enty  feet  long  will  be  foujod  better  than  a  longer  one,  ax^ 
under  ordinary  conditions   it  mil  bo  better  to  nal-.e  thrse  twenty-foot  beds   in  pre- 
ference to  one  aixty-foot  bed.     After  tho  pit  hi.o  been  dug,  a  frene  is  put  around 
it  having  tho  south  side  fron  six  inches  to   one  foot  hi^h,  and  the  north  side  froK 

-.vo  to  three  feet   in  heiglat,     Taio  is  r.ost   connonly  nadc  by  using  boards  but  if 
-he  hot  beds  arc  to  be  pGi.tr;anen:b   conont  is  sonetii-jcs  used.     Tho  ends   of    .he  beds 
sh     Id  be  enclosed,  and  r.ad3  as  tight  as  possible.     lu  order  to  aid  in  drainage, 
a  layer  of  straw,  abou";    six  inches  deep,  should  bo  put    on  the  bottom  of  the  beds, 

on  top  0-'  which  should  bo  placed  about  tv/c  feet  of  fresh  horae  nanure  nixed  with 
straw,  as  it  cor.es,  fron  the  hers c  stable.  This  should  bo  tanpod  dov/n  f^^mly  and 
watered.     In  a  day   or  two  tho  ^^it   should  be  cxr'-.inod  and  if  tho  heat   is  uniforn 


.ourse  33  Pag-  Lessor.  - 

th      lauure   shculc.  be  icrkcd   ever,  tamped   a^-.in  t..id   rs-wet.     After  the  iranure  has 
boon  worked  dov/n  into  the  propor  oocdition,   soil  should   be  pl.^ced   upon  it   to  a 
depth  CT    'ron  sijc  imcliec  to   one  foot,  depending  son^ewhat  upon  the  kind   of  •'-e;-'--ta- 
bj-es  wh.?.ch  are  to  be  .grown.     Soil  for  this  purpoco  should  be  of  a  rsr-.-Ad-"-  ratvr^',  i 
if  it  is  not   sufficiently  rich     a  heavy  coating-  of  T^ell-rotted  nanur^  chov.ld  be 
nixed  \v:.th  it.     The  heat  nLich  the  manure  giv'.  '   off  ic   influenced  largely  by  t>;e 
quantity   of  water  U3ed  ,  and  the  r;o-     "/ater  th   .   is  put   on  up  to  a  certain  r.nount 
the  nore  heat  -.vill  be  given  off.     If  the  manure  is  not   hot,  probably  nore  ma.nure 
should  bs  added,   cr  if  there  is  danger  that   thc4.-e  has  "rcen  too  much  ■'.vater  applies 
it  sh^-.uld  be  drained  off  as  quickly  as  possible.     If   the  nanure  is   fresh  and  the 
care   of  the  bod  has  been  favorable  for  the  hea.t ,  the  soil  should  reach  a  high  dj- 
groc   of  tenperaturc,  and   in  fact   po  high    'hat   if   the  seeds  v;crc  planted   ir-jaeaint 
there  would   be  danger   of  burning  thcr.:.      It  should,  however  ,   be  allowed   to   co:il  d 
-0  about  80°   or  90''  before  the  seeding  i     dene.     A  icvi   of  the  larger  vegetable  . 
grov:crs  who  use  hot   beds   a  good   deal  have   supplied  heat  by  ncans    of   sti...j  pipes,, 
iuotcad   of  nanure.     This,   of   course,  is  a  uuch  nore  satisfactcr^^  rianner  under  w]; 
to  jrrov/  the  young  plants,  and   is  -.vorth  installation,  providing  the  nunber   of 
plants      i-own  is  largo   enough  to  warrant  its  use. 

In  the  Eastern  states,  where  the  v/eather  is  very  cold,  it  is  necGSG.r 
that  the  tops  of  t.hc  beds  be  uovorod  with  glar  sash.  In  Calif  ornj.a  where  the  c 
nate  is  nild  in  ths  winter,  the  bods  can  be  -  vcrcd  either  by  sash,  straw  uats , 
nuslin,  and,  as  a  rule,  the  latxc.  ovcring  ill  be  found  sati.  factory,  and  is 
nuch  cheaper  than  the  glass.  The  heat  cr^n  be  kept  in  the  bed  nuch  better  if  the 
house  is  banked  with  dirt  or  preferably  nanure.  These  bods  should  be  situated  3 
a  well  protected  spot  vhoro  the  soil  and  drainage  are  good;   preferably,    on  the 


CcursG  33  Page  10  Lesson  4 

couth  side   of  sono  building,   fence,    or  wind  l-v.k,  end   should  also  be  located 
v/horG  thoy  can  be  conveniently  visrc.J,  for  the  grower  nay  nake  several  trips  a  d-.y 
to  then.     It  will  also  aid  Tiatcrially  to  loavc  running  water  near  them  so  that  tho 
plants  can  bs  sprinklod  quj.ckly  and   easily. 

The  c-.rc  of  tho  young  plants  in  the  bed,  especially  for  sone  vegetables 
like  tomatoes,  aac'   peppcrts ,   is  very  exacting,   f^r  if  they  are  ijnproperly  grow.i 
largo  losses  will  result   from  several  diseases,  and  they  vrill  not  nakc  the    rapid 
(7,rowth  that  5.3  desirable.     After  tho  soil  has  been  put  in  the  proper  condition,  the 
seed  nay  be  sown,  being  either  broadcasted   or  in  drills;   the  latter  nci    ^  being 
bc+tcr  for  the  beginner,   especially  where  such  plants  as  tomatoes  and  peppers  are 
to  be  grown.     Tho  seed  should  be  covered  with  one  quarter  to  one-half  an  inch  of 
soil,  which  is/a  light  character,  for  if  it  is  too  heavy  it  will  pack  when  wet.     xt 
will  ai    materially  in  getting  the  seed  started  if  burlap  or  nuclin  is  laid   on  the 
surface   of  the  ground  and  allowed   to  renain  until  the  seed  has  begun  to  appear  at 
the  surface,  at  which  tine  it  should  be  ranovcd.     After  the  plants  have  appeared 
at  the   stir  face,  and  especially  until  they  hav_    grown  their  true  leaves,  the  water- 
ing should  be  done  in  such  a  manner  that  the  surface  of  the  soil  and  the  top  of  xao 
plants  will  dry   off  as  quickly  as  possible,  and  it  is   generally  better  to  water 

less  frequently  but  thoroughly,  rather  than  to  put   on  a  snail  ar.:ount  frequently. 

earth 
If   the  plants  are  growing  in  rows  the/bctwcon  these  rmvs  should  be  thoroughly 

stirred  after  each  irrigation.     A  short  tine  before  the  plants  are  to  be  rsr.icved 

frai  the  bods,   the  covoring  should  be  renovisd   gradually  until  a  few  days  before  the 

plants  arc  to  be  lifted   it  has  been  entir^-ly  removed.     Tho  watering  should  bo 

stopped  a  few  days  before  tho  plants  are  to  be  lifted  in  order  to  check    iheir 

gr    .'th  and  harden  then  off. 


^^"^2®  33  p-,ge  11  Lesson  4 

In  renoving  the  plants,   it  is  better  to  dig  then  rather  than  to  pull 
then  up,  for  as  Tjany-aS:  pcsc3.ble  of  their  snail  fibrous  roots   should  be  preserved. 
Plants  which  hava  their  root   systems  seriously  disturbed   fail  to  start  in  the 
field  so  quickly  and   oftentjjnes  the  nore  tender  vegetables  will  not  survive  the 
transplanting.     It  will  aid  in  renoving  the  plants  properly  if  the  soil  be  tho-      - 
roughly  watered  a  few  hours  before  the  plants  are  pulled.     It  is   oftentines  desir- 
able,  especially  when  tho  plants  have  grown  too  lo.rge,  that  thoir  tops  should  be 
cut  back  considerably;   this  aids  the  plants   in  starting.     A  few  of  the  advantages 
which  can  be   obtained  by  the  use  of  a  hot  bed  are: 

1.  It  is  possible  to  grov;  plants  at  the  season  of  the  y.car  in  which  they 
v/ould  be  killed  \7ithout  the  artificial  heat.. 

2.  A  quick  gro\irfch  is  possible  • 

The  nain  disadvantage  of   growing  plants   in  a  hot  bed   is  tho  liability 
of  their  bcconing  spindly  or  v/cak.      This,  however,   can  be  largely  ovcrcone  by 
giving  then  the  proper  care. 

Cold  Fraae. '    A  cold   frane  d.s  as  inportant  to  tho  na.rkct  gardener  as  the  hot 
bod,  and  in  California  this  fom  of  bed  is  often  norc  con-jonly  used  than  the  hot 
bcdi     The  construction  of  a  cold   franc  is  sl-iilar  to  that  of  a  hot  bed,  with  the 
exception  that  no  botton  hc'o.t  is   used  ,   {lao  fresh  nanurc)  ,  and  under  ordi.nary  cone 
ditions  no  pit   is  dug*-     There  arc  several -typos    of  cold  f  rr-xics ,  such  as  lath  houca, 
burlap  house  and  the  one  previously  described.     The  care  of-  tho  plants  in  the  cold 
franc  is   essentially  the  sane  as  when  growing  in  i^hc  hot  bed,     Tho  nain  advantage 
the  cold   frar.-.c  has  over  the  hatr  ood   is   that  .tho >pln.nt3  ^re  usually  a  little  nore 
stocky,  and  do  not  receive,  such  a  set--back  .f;r-op,.:.tii'p,n.splanting,  but  their  growth 
is   >iot  as  rapid  in  tho  cold  frar,ic  as  when  aiftificial  heat   is  used, 

.— 0 


CouiT.e  33  Pa^  'i^  Lessen  -1 


QUSSTI  3 


1.  Naue  sevar  !i;."-thr'i3   for  irrigat.rrig  th^'   v",get&bl6  garden. 

2.  Y.'hat  are  the  aCvanta^cs  and  disadvantagos   of   oach  rr:3thod? 

3.  Ho"f  arc  ruised  bedb  "lade:        Sunken  beds? 

(a;    D-.scL-ibo  the   conitruction   of  a   hot   bed  and   co?.d   frane. 

(b;   Ho"-   dr-ed  a   cold    f-anio   dilfcr   from  a   hct   bed? 

5.     V.'hnt  iC:   the  general  mot  hod  fcr  the   care  and  hardeoing  off 
of  -cho  plants? 


Addr-jiiS   all  corr  3dponc!jnc.e  to  DIVISICN   OF  AGR..  CULTURAL  EDUCATION , 
UKIVERSITY   OF  CALIFCRWIA  ,  BErfCSlJLY  ,   CALI:^0R:IIA. 


'JMIVERSIIY   OF  CALIFORNIA 
COLLEGE   OF  AGP.ICULTURi: 
AGRICULTURAL  EXFERIi.EtiT  STATION 

BER::Eij:y 


Tliorrif.o    For3;/tli  Har.fc,    Dean 
H.   E.    Van  Moi-rnan,   Vise-Direc-tcr  ar.d 
Dean  University  Farm  School. 


C   0  R  R  E  S  P  0  M  D  E  M  C  E 

I   N 
A   G  R  I   C   U  L  T  U  ? 


C    0  U  R  S  E  S 


,  COURSE  x:c:iii 

3-;-  G.    S.   Rogers, 
Leo son  5 


AdclrecG  r.ll  oorTiunicafeo-'ic  i-elv.fc:ve  to  coi-reGporxiencG  cour.3e3   tc  t^e 
.  DIVISION  OF  ACRICULTUHAL  ED UCATIOLi 

U?^:-verG3.ty''ef  Calif  orrj.c 

Porl'elev  ,  Calirov-iia 


Course  33    •   ■     .  P-i-iei^S  Lesso*i  5 

SP5CIFIC  riRECTIOHS 
Laying  out  cf  the  Vegetable  Garden:   Before  planting  the  garden, 
the  character  of  the  soil,  -'ater  supply,  etc.,  should  be  vory  carefully  studied. 
Every  crop  has  a  particular  kind  of  soil  in  v;hich  it  produces  its  naxinjum  yield  , 
for  example,  cabbage  'vill  grc"  much  better  on  heavy  soil  than  it  will  on   sandy 
soil,  -'hereas  potatoes  and  onions  do  better  on  the  lighter  character  of  soil. 
The  relation  betveen  crops  and  mcicture  is  also  very  definite  ,  some  crops  requir- 
ing a  larF;e  an^ount  of  inoisture  rhile  others  grow  best  'vhere  there  is  a  small 
amount  of  vrater  in  the  soil.   This  is  very  well  shotm  with  the  tomato.   If  the 
plants  receive  too  much  v^ater  the  gro'.vth  goes  to  vine  at  the  expense  of  the  yield 
of  fruit  ,  while  if  the  moisture  supply  is  small  oftentimes  the  yield  and  quality 
of  the  crops  will  be  much  higher.   Such  crops  as  onions,  radishes,  lettuce,  etc., 
should  be  located  v;hsre  it  will  be  possible  to  reach  them  with  water.   Such  crops 
as  melons,  tomatoes,  etc.,  can  be  grown  with  much  less  moisture,  and  are  often 
adapted  to  the  part  of  the  garden  which  is  the  hardest  to  irrigate.  In  commercial 
gardens  the  grower  should  al\7ays  allow  space  enough  for  roads  ,  for  although  some 
of  the  land  is  lost  for  grov/ing  vegetables  ,  the  convenient  location  of  roads  vrill 
mean  a  saving  of  time.   Parallel  roads  on  the  University  Farm  garden  are  placed 
approximately  from  120  to  125  feet  apart  which  has  been  found,  under  our  condi- 
tions ,  to  be  a  very  convenient  distance. 

The  careful  preparation  of  the  coil  i.?  a  very  important  factor  in 
the  production  of  vegetables  and  bnough  time  should  be  taken  so  that  the  soil  xs 
in  as  fine  condition  as  possible,  especially  when  growing  plants  from  seeds  such 
as  onions,  radishes,  etc.   The  fineness  to  which  the  soil  should  be  pulverized 
depends  largely  upon  the  crop  which  is  to  be  grown,  for  it  is  not  as  important 
to  have  the  soil  in  as  good  a  condition  for  crops  such  as  potatoes,  -nolons  .  etc., 


Course  33  pp-^e  3  Lessor.  5 

as  it  is  '"hon  pro'-in^;  the-  r.orc  intensive  vcf,  ^tables  .  such  as  onions.   The  general 
practice  -ihich  is  pursued  in  the  preparation  of  the  soil  previous  to  planting  is 
something  along;  the  follo-vinc;  line,  although  local  conditions  -.7ill  of  course  play 
a  more  or  less  important  part. 

After  the  soil  has  been  nanurad  sufficiently,  it  is  plo'ved  from  10 
to  14  inches.   If  this  is  done  during  the  spring  or  summer,  the  soil  is  generally 
'vorksd  doT;n  into  a  fairly  fine  condition  by  the  use  of  a  harror; ,  buo  during  the 
rainy  season,-  it  can  bo  kept  as  it  was  plov;ed  until  the  manure  has  rotted,  after 
••'hich  it  can  either  be  disced  or  stirred  up  by  the  cultivator.   If  the  soil  is  a 
little  dry  o'r  of  such  a  nature  that  there  are  a  large  nujuber  of  clods  present , 
these  can  be  -'orked  dorfn  by  the  ring  roller,  clod  smasher  or  disc.   Under  ordinary 
conditions  these  operations  will  be  sufficient  to  get  the  soil  into  the  desired 
condition.   If  the  soil  is  ro-plor/ed  after  receiving  the  manure  this  should  be 
done  very  shallow,  so  as  not  to  pull  the  manure  to  the  surface. 

Planting.  One  of  the  most  iEyortant  conditions  which  must  be  taken 
into  account  when  planting  is  the  influence  of  the  seasons  ,  and  the  endeavor  to 
grov;  vegetables  out  cf  season  has  ofte'i  proved  unsatisfactory  to  the  growers. 
It  is  impossible  oftentimes  to  grow  such  crops  as  cabbage  ,  lettuce  and  cauliflov;er 
during  the  summer  in  sections  which  are  very  hot  and  dry.   It  is  also  impossible 
to  grow  such  crops  as  melons  and  tomatoes  during  the  v/inter  time  -.'hen  the  weather 
is  cold.   Eat^h  crop  has  its  most  favorable  season,  and  this  is  dependent  largely 
upon  the  locality.   At  Davis  ,  it  is  possible  to  gro\7  a  very  high  grade  of  lettuce 
any  time  from  October  to  the  middle  of  Kay,  but  if  this  vegetable  is  gro^ra  later 
than  June  or  before  September  the  quality  will  be  so  low  that  it  •.-.•ill  be  unmarket- 
able. 


Course  33  Page  4  Lesson  5 

Thore  are  three  raothods  for  planting  vegetables  in  the  field,-  by 
planting  the  seed  in  drills,  broadcasting  them,  or  by  setting  out  the  plants.       ^ 
The  rriost  advantageous  method  depends  largely  upon  the  season  of  the  year,  and 
the  kind  of  vegetable  r/hich  is  to  be  grorm.   Vegetables  such  as  beets,  carrots, 
lettuce,  etc.,  may  be  grov/n  by  either  sof/ing  the  seed  in  drills  or  by  broadcast- 
ing.  T'hen  the  loruer  method  is  used,  the  drills  are  generally  placed  from  tv/elve 
to  eighteen  inches  apart,  vhen  the  cultivation  is  to  be  done  by  hand  implements 
and  from  eighteen  inches  to  t'"o  and  one-half  feet  v/here  horse  dravm  implements 
are  to  be  used.   If  the  seed  is  sown  in  sunken  beds  it  is  generally  put  in 
drills;  if  the  seed  is  acv.'n  in  riised  beds  it  is  generally  broadcasted.  Where 
the  seed  is  broadcasted,  it  is  im;,iossible  to  hoe  the  vegetables,  so  that  this 
method  should  not  be  used  only  ^hen  the  soil  is  free  from  v;eeds  and  when  it  does 
not  pack  too  badly.   Such  plants  as  tomatoes,  cabbage,  etc.,  are  generally 
raised  from  planting  the  seed  in  seed  beds  and  transplanting  the  plants  into  the 
field  v;hen  they  have  attained  a  sufficient  gro'-rth. 

Future  Care  of  Crops.  V/hen  gro'.ving  such  vegetables  as  beets  ,  car- 
rots ,  turnips,  etc.,  it  is  always  customary  to  plant  seed  enough  to  insure  a  good 
stand  of  plants.   In  order  that  this  may  be  accomplished,  it  is  necessary  to  ha.v, 
the  plants  come  up  so  thick  thut  unices  they  '--ere  thinned,  they  would  not  mature 
properly.   Thinning  should  not  be  delayed  too  long,  for  if  the  plants  are  too 
large  the  earth  around  the  ones  which  ai-e  to  remain  will  be  seriously  disturbed 
by  the  pulling  out  of  the  extra  plants,  which  is,  of  course,  undesirable.  Thin- 
ning is  an  expensive  opsration,  but  is  on3   •  hich  r.iust  be  carefully  done  in  order 
tha-t  the  best  results  may  be  obtained.   When  thinning  such  crops  as  beets,  often- 
times the  grower  waits  until  they  have  become  large  enough  to  be  used  for  greens. 
This  method  if  properly  practiced  will  be  found  satisfactory,  for  the  amount  of 


Course  33  Pnee  5  Lesson  5 

money  received  for  these  gruenc  generally  pays  for  the  labor  of  thinning.  For 
the  beginner,  however,  it  ic  better  not  to  allow  these  plants  to  get  as  large  as 
this  before  being  thinned. 

After  the  vegetables  have  appeared  at  the  surface,  the  cultivation 
should  be  coirnnenced  ,  and  should  be  carried  through  the  entire  season.   There  are 
two  benefits  to  be  derived  from  cultivation,-  one  is  the  keeping  of  the  land  free 
from  weeds  ,  and  the  second  is  the  forming  of  a  fine  mulch  around  the  vegetables. 
The  exact  number  of  cultivation  v;hich  should  be  given  depends  v/holly  upon  the 
crops  grown  and  other  conditions,  such  as  the  r'eed  grov/th,  season  of  the  year, 
and  the  character  of  the  soil.   It  is  alv;ays  a  good  plan  to  thoroughly  cultivate 
the  soil  after  each  irrigation.   V/hen  ;:;rov/ing  shallot.'  rooted  vegetables  such  as 
the  onion,  and  especially  the  potato,  the  cultivation  should  not  be  too  deep, 
especially  after  the  crop  is  matured.   For  such  crops  as  cabbage,  melons,  to- 
matoes, etc.,  the  cultivation  should  be  as  deep  as  possible,  varying  from  three 
to  ten  inches. 

The  choice  of  the  most  desirable  implements  depends  largely  on  the 
crops  and  local  conditions.  As  a  rule,  the  hoeing  and  ^reeding  of  vegetables  is 
one  of  the  most  expensive  operations  which  has  to  be  done.  Under  ordinary  con- 
ditions a  vegetable  should  be  hoed  two  or  three  times  during  its  grov.'th,  and  if 
the  field  is  thoroughly  cultivated  so  that  the  weed  growth  is  kept  in  check,  the 
number  of  hoeings  necessary  will  be  much  less  than  if  there  is  a  rank  grovrth  of 
weeds. 

Storing.   The  storing  of  vegetables  is  not  as  important  in  Califor- 
nia as'  it  is  in  the  eastern  states  where  climatic  conditions  are  much  more  severe. 
It  is,  however,  often  desirable  to  store  such  crops  as  onions,  cabbage,  etc,,  for 
at  least  a  short  period  of  time.   The  most  important  crops  which  are  gro'.'.Ti  for 


Course  33  Pa^e  6  Lesson  5 

storage  are  cabbage,  potatoes,  and  onions.   Thei-o  are  tno  ger^eral  methods  fcr 
the  storing  of  vegetables  used  in  California;   first,  storage  in  especially  con- 
structed store  houses,  and  secondly,  stora,'-e  in  pitc  .    Such  crops  as  onions, 
potatoes  and  especially  sv;eet  potatoes  should  be  storsi  in  -'ell  ventilated,  ^vatsr- 
proof  houses.   Where  pits  ar3  to  be  used,  they  should  be  located  in  soil  which 
is  •.veil  drained,  and  in  as  -'ax-n  a  part  of  the  ranch  as  possible.   The  pits  are 
generally  used  irore  for  storing  cabbage  than  for  tho  otl;^;r  v^gjtables.   They  may 
be  constructed  by  means  of  plovring  furrovs  t-velve  i^'rhoc  or  so  deep  or  by  digging 
excavations  several  feet  in  depth. 

B.otation  of  Crpps.   It  has  Ic^g  been-  recrgni^ed  as  one  cf  the  mcst 
important  factors  in  the  production  of  vegetables  that  a  certain  rotation  of 
crops  is  absolutely  necsssary  in  order  to  secure  maxi.-nim  yields.   To  the  miscel- 
laneous vegetable  grov/er,  rotation  cf  crops  is  ofte-^  of  acre  inportuncc  than  to 
the  truck  gro'/er.   Ov/ing  tc  the  cliciatic  conditions  in  California  as  high  as 
three  and  sometimes  four  crops  are  matured  during  a  s: "gle  season  from  the  same 
piece  of  land;   for  instance,  in  ra-iy  portions  of  Calfornia  the  growers  plant 
potatoes  in  January  'vhich  can  bo  harvostad  during  the  months  cf  Kay  or  June. 
The  land  is  planted  again  during  July  to  cabbage  and  cauliflower  plants  ,  v/hich 
mature  about  Ilcveraber  or  December,  at  r-hich  time  onions  are  planted.   There  are 
many  other  combinations  -.-hich  may  be  carried  Lut.   In  many  localities  rotation 
of  crops  is  absolutely  necessary,  for  after  growing  the  same  crop  continually, 
land  is  often  so  infected  with  disease  that  it  is  impossible  to  produce  a  paying 
crop  v'i-thout  a  rotation.   The  number  of  years  in  v.-hich  a  crop  can  be  grown  on 
the  same  land  v/ithout  a  ritation  depends  largely  upon  the  crops  and  the  character 
of  the  soil.   Potatoes  gro-rn  in  the  same  soil  for  three  years  without  a  rotation 
will  yield  poorly,  -'hjreas,  such  crops  as  onions  may  be  grown  on  the  same  land 


Course  33  Page  7  Lesson  5 

for  five  or  even  ton  years  ndthout  a  depreciable  falling  off  of  the  yield  and 
quality  of  tho  crop. 

It),  practicing  crop  rotation  the  grower  should  select  crops  which 
are  not  of  the  sane  family  or  -.'hich  dc  not  require  the  same  character  of  food 
from  the  soil.   For  instance,  the  cabbage  grower  should  not  rotate  v/ith  cauli- 
flower or  sprouts. 

Glagsification.   Of  the  several  methods  for  clarsifying  the  var- 
ious vegetables,  tho  one  most  useful  for  the  grower  will  probably  be  one  ar- 
ranged according  to  the  resistance  of  the  plants  to  cold.   Under  this  method  the 
plants  are  divided  into  three  groups.   The  first  group,  tender  vegetables,  is 
made  up  of  those  v/hich  are  injured  or  killed  by  frost,  and  which  require  high 
temperatures  for  successful  growth,  such  as  tomatoes,  egg  plants,  ridons,  cu- 
cumbers, etc.   The  second  group,  semi -hardy  plants,  includes  those  which  have 
a  certain  resistance  to  c^-ld,  but  cannot  bo  grown  in  the  colder  seasons  in  cer- 
tain parts  of  the  State.   Such  vegetables  would  be  potatoes,  corn,  etc.  The 
other  group  ,  hardy  vegetables  ,  includes  those  v/hich  will  grov;  during  the  cold 
weather  in  many  parts  of  the  State.   In  this  class  are  included  onions,  celery, 
cabbage,  root  crops,  such  as  beets,  carrots,  etc. 

(The  following  system  of  classification  is  given  by  Professor 
L.  H.  Bailey  in  hxr   bock  entitled  "Principles  of  Vegetable  Gardening" ,  pp. 240- 

242.) 

CLASS  I.   ANIJU/i  VEGETABLES . 

Subclass  I,   Crops  Grown  for  Subterranean  Parts, 

Group  1.  Root  Crops. 

Beet,   carrot,   celeriac ,  chicory,  horse-radish, 
parsnip,  radish,  salsify,  turnip,   and  rutabaga. 

Group   2.     T\iber  Crops 

Swoet  potato,  potato. 


Course  33  Page  5  Lesson  5 

G-roup  3,   Lulb  Crops 

Ci--(j  or  ChivQ,  garlic  ,  ioek ,  onio"  and  shallot, 

Subclasc  II.   Crops  Grcvn  f  ;r  Fclia^e  Parts. 

Jroup  -I.      Cole  Crops 

Broccoli,   brussuls   sprouts,   cabbage,   ccllard, 
c£ulif  lo-i-ur ,   kale   ar>d   kchl-rabi. 

Group  5.  Pot  Hc;rbs'(used  for  "Greens") 

Beet,  chard,  dandelion,  raustard  ,  sea  ::alc  and  spinach. 

Group  6,   Salad  Crops 

Celery,  corn  salad,  cress,  endive,  lettuce  and  parsley. 

Subclass  III.   Crops  GroT.n  for  Fruit  or  Seed  Parts. 

Croup  7,  Pulse  Crops 

Bear'  and  Pea, 

Group  3,  Sclanaceous  Crops 

Ef^'^plant  ,   pepper,   tcnato  ,   husk   or  stra^-berry   and 
tc.'.'.ato. 

Group  d.      Cucurbit ous  or  Vino  Crops. 

Cucumber,  Gh^jrkin  ,   I'uski^olon,  Pumpkin,   squash  and 
•■■at  •-r;:-;l  on. 

Group  10.   Corn,  Okra,  liartynia, 

I-arty^ia,  Okra  and  c-'eet  cov/n. 

Group   11.   Condimental  and  S'veet  Herbs, 

Bill,  nint ,   sage,    savory,   tansy,   thyino   and  many 
ethers . 

CLASS   II .        ■  PEREN^NIIAL  W,C'im<BL'£S . 

Artichoke,  globe;      artichoke,  Jerusalem,  asparagus, 

rhubarb   and   sea  kale. 


Coi^sQ  33,  Page  «    -  Lesson  5, 

QUESTIONS 

1.  What   should   be   concidered   befo\'e  C'loocr.ng  the   crops   and   location  of 

each? 

2.  Hov/  should   the  soil  be  prepared   for  planting? 

3.  Name  three  nethodc  for  planting  vegetables, 

4-,       What  deterrrineo   the  runber   of  cultj.vations  necessary? 
5.       Irto  r;hat  three  groups  nay  vegetables  be  divided? 


Address  all  correspondence  to  the  Division  of  Agricultui-al  Education 

University   of  California 
Berkeley,  Cal, 


UNIVERSITY  OF   CALIfORMIA 
COLLEGE  OF  AGRICULTU'Ri; 
AGRICULTURAL  EXPERl'Ki'T  oTATIOU 
BERKELEY 


David   F.    ijULvro-ffr, ,    President 

lliomes   F.   Hunt,    De&m 

H-   E.   Van  Norman,   Vice-Director 

and   Dean  University  Farm  School 


CORRESPOJIDEKCE       COURSES 

I  !J 
AGRICULTURE 


COURSE  XXXIII. 
VEGETABLE  GARDENING 
By  S.   S.   Rogers 
Lesson  6 


Address  all   communications   relative  to   the   correspondence  courses  to 

DIVISION  OF  AGRICULTURAL  SDUo^TION 

UJ-IIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORTGA 

BERKELEY 


Course  33  Page   2  Lesson  6 


POTATQEG 


The  potato  is   a  native  of  the  high  mountain  valleys  of  Chile  and  Peru, 
South  Amr>rica.  It  was  probably  introduced  into  Spain,  Florida  and  Virginia  by 
early  Spanish  explorers  and  from  Virginia  was  taken  to  England  about  1585  by 
colonists  sent  out  by  Sir  Waiter  Ral'sigh.   From  the  first,  the  potato  has  been  one 
of  the  Icndinf^  vegetables,  and  is  now  used  in  practically  every  country  in  the 
world.  It  is  not  only  used  as  an  economic  food  for  man,  but  is  also  vlauable  for 
atarch,  cattle  food  and  the  manufacture  of  alcohol. 

The  potato  is  the  niost  inportnnt  vecetable  raised  in  California.  As 
far  back  as  1868  this  state  raised  23,800  acres  of  potatoes  with  a  total  production 
of  2,142,000  bushels,  and  havin.c;  a  farm  value  of  ;^1,200,000.   Durinf,  the  season  of 
1911  there  wers  72,00C  acres  planted  with  a  total  farm  value  of  .JB , 748 , 000 .   This 
appears  to  be  the  best  year  for  this  crop.   During  the  season  of  1913  there  v;ere 
planted  approximately  68,000  acres  v/ith  a  production  of  8,092,000  bushels  and  a 
farm  value  of  |5, 664, 000.  . 

This  vegetable  is  grovm  more  or  less  throup;hout  the  State,  but  the  most 
important  section  in  ^rrhich  it  is  found  is  in  the  delta  situated  at  the  junction  of 
the  San  Joaquin  and  Sacramento  Valleys.  This  district  has  an  annual  production  of 
between  40,000  and  50,000  acres.  Another  large  potato  growing  eection  in  the 
state  is  in  the  Salinas  Valley-  The  third  section  vrhich  is  noted  for  its  potato 
producing  qualities  is  in  Los  Angeles,  Orange,  and  Imperial  Counties. 

The  average  yield  per  acre  in  California  is  approximately 
65  sacks.  A  safe  estimate  for  business  purposes  is  said  to  be  90  sacks. 


Coxir3e   33,  Page   3.  Lssson  6, 

A  good  yield  v/hich  a  competent   man  may  hope  to   obtain   is   about    105   sacks, 
and  the   yields  ".-hich  are  not   unfrequ&ntly   obtninefi   are   160  sacks  ,  while 
under  extraordinary  conditions  a'oout   250  oacks  are   realized.      The   cost    of 
production  varies   considerably  and   i-?   dependent   largely  upon  the  acreage, 
type   of   soil,  and  the  season   in  •••rhich  the  crop  is   ^ro^/ing.      It   is  gjenerally 
estim^.ted  that   in  order  to  produce  an  average  crop  of  potstoes,  the   groover 
v'ill  spend   from  035  to     40  per  acre,  v;iih  the  average   cost   of  ^40. 00  per 
acre.     The  prices  received   for  this  crop  ^>re  quite  variable,  depending  large- 
ly upon  the   season  at  '-/hich  it   i:   sold  snd  the  acreage  -vhich  is  planted . 
From  Jterch  to  July  the  price;  generally  vary  fror.  2  to  5  cents  per   pound. 
From  July  to  October  the  price  xc   generally  bet'veen  -|-  and  1-V  cents  per  prund . 
From  October  until  r-.lurch  the  price  generally  varies   from  :|-  to  2  cents  per 
po-und . 

Cultural  Requirements:     Potatoes  are  found   grcvin^  in  a  large 
variety  of  soils,  varying  froR  coarse  sand  to  heavy  adobe.     The   one  best 
general  tyt)e  ,  hou'ever ,  is  a  sandy  loam  which  is   friable,  holding  v;ater  v/ell 
and   of   rood  quality.     Soil   for  potatoes   should   be  at   least   ^   feet   in  depth 
and   should  be   of  such  a  chnracter  that  the  potatoes  will  devslrp  uniformly 
in  ?hape.     Soils    of  toe  heavy  a  character  have  a  tendency  to  produce  a   crop 
v.'hich  will  be  irregular  ±u  shape  due  to  the  over  compactness   of  the   soil,  and 
■those  vi-hich  are  too  open  will   often  be   found  deficient   in  the  proper  amount 
of  moisture  as  rell  as  m  the  plant   food  elements. 

The  potato  requires  co.isiderable  Kioisture  throughout   its  entire 
PTO'-'th,  but   coil<!  \7hich  are  too  ^et  have  a  tendency  to  produce  sogpy  potstoc-s  , 


Gouise  33.  Page  4.  Lesson  6. 

making  them  of  an  inf'-rior   quality,      it   xg  ,  ho'^ever  ,  very  inportar.t  that 
the  rr.oisture  coxite.it   should  not  vary  too  much  'ind  af+er  the  potatoe':  have 
matured,   it    is   important  that   net  toe  much  r.ioic-turc  be   present.     Thi^  crop 
not   only  requires  a   literr^l  amount   of  nioisture  in  the  IsrA  ,  but   n;rows  best 
where  the  atmosphe.-e   i?  humx'^ .      T-.i    jctatO' plant    is   fairly  resistant  to  hot 
and  cold,  although  it  will  not   star.d  as  cold  a  temperature  without    injury 
as  the  cabbage,  lettu-.e,   onion,  e.,c  .  ,  but  v;ill  endure^a  much  lcv/i.^r  degrte   of 
temperature  than  beans,  melon?,   cucaraber<?,  etc. 

prenaratiort  of  tlie  Soil.      In  order  to   obtain   ^he  maxir.urn 
crops  ,   it   is  very  essential  that  the  soij.]   be  m  'lihe  proper  condition  of 
tilth  at  the  time   of   planting  and  ±:\  f a-i-t  ,  there   is  probably  no   other   one 
condition  'vhich  is   of  so  much  importance  i:-'-  the   culture   of  this  crop  as  the 
careful  preparation  of  the   soil.      If  the  potatoes  are  to  be   planted  in  the 
spring  and  ivhere  the  conditions  will  'warrant   it,  tne   land   snould  be   plo'Ared 
deep   in   the- fall   and  allc^'ed  to  remain   in  this   condition  until  a   short  time 
before  plantin;-;^,  as  thi-^  ^will  aid   greatly  in  helping  the   -7cil  •io  retain  xhe 
moisture    from  the   winter  rains,  and    it  will  help   especially   if  the   soil   is   of 
a  heavy  character,  to  loosen  it  up.     A  s-hort  time  before   planting,  the   soil 
should   apain  be  replo-ved  and  ^vorKed  do^/n  i.itc  a  good   condition  of  tilth  by 
tlie  use   of   several   implements  such  as  the  harro'v,  clod   smasher,   ring  roller, 
etc.      It   is  sometimes  a  good  plan  to  allo'v  the  v/eeds  to  start   in  the  spririg 
before  the  plowing,  but  they  should  never  be  allo^^'ed  to  renaiii  long  enough 
to  gc  to  seed. 


C^iirse  3.3.  Fac^c   5.  Lessen  6. 

tVmt^^p;-      ^"e  +-^-i^   0^   S:ri?-ti.f?,  ieiyeivla  -holly  upon  the 
climatic   cor.'^it.ion?^ ,   soil   and  «30j.sfttiC-B  rc-rrfiti^ini?  u^ider  which  the  crop  1^ 
to.be   pro-1ucc1.      In  certain   sections   of  C^^.lifornia   it   iS   possible  to   pl»nt 
potatoes  as  early  as  lio" ember  ani   De;cer:icer  ,   liaving  tksn  grey  throuotout  the 
season  "■•ithout   injvrv   from  frost.      In   other   sections,   planting  should   be 
deferred  urnil  after  I-.'ay.     V.^'.ere  it   i^   yC^sible  the  potatoes  should  be  planted 
early  in  the  spring  insuring  the   grower  cf  a  high  price   for  his  production. 
There  are  t'..res  nethof^'s  in  practice   for  planting  potatoes.     The  first, 
plantin-:^  by  ir^achlnei'v  ,   is   one  'v.^icr:  is   strongly  advocp.ted  where  the   soil 
texture  v.-ill  permit  ,  and  -vi.ere  tl-ie  grower  is  putting  in  a  sufficient   acreage 
to  "/arrant  the  expense  of  se:u.rl.nG:  such  a  macYiine.  ■  VJl-'.ere   s-everal  grcv/ers 
are   planting  this   crop  in  the   sace  locality,   it   is   often  a  good  plan  to   ov;n  a 
planter  together.      T'nfortvJiately ,   on  account   of  the  character   of  the   soil  in 
the  larp;sst   producing  section  in  t'ne  state,  it    is  impossible  tc  use  nachinery 
for  planting  potatoes.     The   second  nethod  ,  planting  in  every  third  ry-  fourth 
f:jrrov/  as  the   field  is  being  played,   is   one  which  is  the  most  conraonly  used. 
In  California,  and  "-here  the   soil  has  been  kept    frej  froir.  v'eed   gro'vth,   or   is 
not    of  too  hard  a  character,   it   i-3  a  method  that   generally  brings   fairly  rood 
re<5ulti;.      A  third  method  consists   of   getting  th.e   soil  into  the  be^t   condition 
possible,  an'^   r)i  oving  furro'vs  in  v;hich  the  potatoes  are  to  be  planted,     ''/here 
t.he   first  method    xt.  used,  the  potatoes  sre  covered  by  the  machine,   bvt  v.-here 
the   second   and  third  methods  are  used,  the  potatoes  are   generally  covered  by 
plowing  back   furrovs   or  by  the  use   of  the  cultivator   or  harrow;,   and  the   field 
is  generally  lynrkod  into  shape  by  the  harrow.     The  proper  distance  at  v'hich 


Course  3j.  Pago  6.  Lessor  6. 

these  ro'-s  are  placed  varies  sor.ewhat  accordi'-'g  to  moisture  conditiv'^s  aid 
E'^il  ,  but  the  corrmon  distance  is  beVvee'^  three  and  fovr  feet,  dropping  one 
piece  of  seed  every  1?.  tc  15  i-ches  in  the  furro-.'s  ,  r'.nd  covering  4  to  S 
inches  deep,  usi^f^  the  shallo'-'er  depth  ov   the  heavier  s;ilo  or  v-hen  planting 
i"  the  early  sprin:".   There  are  several  n.ethcds  used  in  cutting  the  seed, 
each  jf  "'hich  has  a  certain  advantage  over  th3  others.  The  nost  conr.on  method 
used  is  cutti",'^  the  seed  p'^tatoes  in  four  pieces,  leaving  tn-o  nr  three  eyes 
in  each  piece.  V.'here  the  seed  is  rather  s'lal  1 ,  it  is  often  impossible  to  cu^ 
rore  than  t'7o  pieces  frcu  ic,  and  -"here  jt  is  li-;rf^e,  four  or  sometimes  five 
pieces  are  cut.  Tne  seed  is  generally  net  cut  until  reaoy  for  plantin-,  for 
as  a  rule,  the  gro"'er  ^  ill  have  better  results  by  planting  immediately  after 
cuctinp  rather  than  allov.dng  seed  to  dry  out  for  a  considerable  time  before 
planting.  Where  seed  is  sprouted  badly,  tne  sprouts  are  generally  knocked  off 
in  handling  before  the  seed  is  planted.   The  ques-cio'i  of  keepii^g  the  seed 
i-  one  '  hich  is  of  vital  importance  to  the  cro-'er,  and  seed  vn:  ch  is  in  the 
';  p'^.t  condition 'jrt.o  plant  should  -'-.ot  have  sprouted. 

Season  tT  plant.   In  the  v.-armer  sections  of  the  State,  such  as  is 
found  in  the  hills  back  of  San  Francisco  and  Dakla-d,  or  in  certain  parts  of 
Sjuthevn  Oelif  or'^iia ,  potatoes  can  be  planted  a"  e-^rly  as  December.   Through- 
-.ut  the  Sacramento  and  lo'"er  San  Joaquin  Valleys  the  planting  seaso';-!  generally 
c')i"rj"-''enceo  darinp  the  month  of  February.   In  the  m^unxaincus  sectic^s  ef  the 
State  and  in  certain  counties  in  the  north,  t-;-^  planting  season  is  '•ften  de- 
ferred un":il  I'ay,   In  certain  sections  of  the  Ctate,  especially  along  the 
o.st,  t'.'iere   ic,   sor- etimes  a  second  planting  maue  av.rirg  August.   These 


C'-ur3G   33.  Pag3   7.  Le?sor.  6. 

potatoes   raisec   at   t'.is   season   of  ta&    /far  are   generally   use'i   for   seei   in  the 
coming   -spring.      In  the   interior  vtlltys   of  the   state,   it    i'^   often  too  hot 
aud    iry  to   plant   ?.t   thi-^   season.      'Tul:   p'/cetoes  v;xll   stand   a  certain  ariiount 
of   cold  •••eat  her  ,   the  viass   &rc   c^n^x'^ei-e  cj."  Irjured  by   frost?;,    -:c  that   th.e 
plant in^T  season  shcuid  be  defer ro'I   until   danger   .vf  iieavy   i rests   is   past, 
probably,  the   bulk   of    u'-e   :->oc-to-5  planted   ii  California   ar3   put   in  the    ;;:ro-;nd 
frcT  February  v^nt:.!  i.:av  ,   i.iClusive. 

I "ri nation.        A  Isrse   percer.tace   of  the   crop  is   grovn  under 
irrigat j-on  excepwJn.^  --"nere  n-i-nter   plan-^in;:  i-   used,   and   ^n   certfiu  sicticns 
of  the   ?^tate  in  v/hich  t",e  jainfail  oaring  ths   spring  is  hea-^rj-.     Xfntra 
irrigation  is   practice-,  "-.he  "'axer   is   epplie'^"    frc/n  one  tc   fc-L^r  tines        It    is 
very  iriyortant  thet   the   ground   shall  resaixi  uctst  tb'-ou;;hcux  the   entire   fTO'.vth 
of  the   potatoes,    for  i'f   it   i^-  allo""ed  to  becomo  too  dry,  and  then  irri^rpted  , 
the   crop  ■■•rlli  be   injured  naterially.      Under   ordinary  condition':   r>otatoes   should 
not  be   irrigated  after  they  are  one-half  to  three-quarters   grov/n  anl  as  a 
rule,  the   irrigation  is   .generally  stopped  after  the  vines  i:ave  conmenced  to 
blooB.      If  'vater  is  applied  too  late   in  the  growth  of  the  plant,  the   potatoes 
'•••ill   rot    in  the   ground  and    start   a   secondary  gro'-zth,  making  them  very  v.n- 
desir.Thl-?   for  V.-.e   rnarket.      'ihe   irri,3ation  s'-.ould  he   carried   on  so  tViat  at   the 
time  the  tops   of  the  plants  are  beginning  to  die  do'-'n,  the  amount   of  the  '-^axer 
in  the   soil  is  naterially  decri-.ased   froa  the  amount  at  the  tii.e  the   plants 
•  •--r^:    rrow'iag.     The  usual  rocthod  for   irrigating  potatoes   i-^   c  r-.jnning  v-zater  in 
furrows  bet>v9en  the  ro'-'s   of   plrnts.      In  applying  the  v/ater  ,  care   should  be 
tiken  not   to  hava   i-  come   in  direct  contact  '-ith  the  vinos,  but   should  b«?  pwt.- 


Gourso   33.  Pr.ge  8.  Lesson  6. 

on  in  Puch  a  irianner  that   it  v/ili  seey  through  the  soil  to  the  roots    of 
the  plcntE.      In  thi;  ialand   sections   of  the   state  vhere  the   atraunt   of  n-ater 
is   abundant,   c.:ia  -fh&TQ  the   soil  takes  --aier   easily,  this   crop   is   commonly 
irrigated  by  running  open  ditches  through  the.   field   anl  filling  these  with 
vat  cr . 

CultiVc-ticn:      The   cultivation   of  the  potato   field  should 
co:.ar.ence   iTsmedir.tely  rfter  plantirig.      From  than  until   the  vines   have   appeared 
rhout   6   inches   atove  the  surface,  "che  earth  should  be  harrov/ed  often  enougii 
to   keep  weed   grov/th  dov/n.      After  the  plants   are   so   high  that  there   is   a 
liability  of   injuring  ther.  by  this   cultivation,   the   field   should  be   gone 
over  regularly  with  the   cultivator,  thoroughly   stirring  the   earth  around  the 
plants:    3  to   5   inches  deep,   and  never  allov/ing  the  v/eed   grorjth  to   start.   After 
the  potatoes   have   c omrienc ed  to   form   en  the   roots,  the   oulxivator   should   net 
go  too    close  to    chc  plants    for  fear   of   cutting  dff  the   roots.     Y/hen  the 
rlarts   have   comr/enced  to  nature  ,  the   field  should  not    cc   cultivated  with  a 
horse  drawn  inpl:;cjent.      It   r.ay  be  necessary  tc    go   over  the   field  'vith  a  hand 
implc.nicnt   cnco   or  t--./ico   during  the   season,   and  tov/ards-fthe   latter  part   of   the 
growth  of  the  plants   it  v;ill  be   found  r..ucli  better  tc   go   over  the   field  in  this 
v/ay  than  to   go   over  with  horses.      If  the   crop   is   planted   in  the   early  spring, 
sc  that   irrigation  is   unnecossci-y,  ro  ridging  or  hilling  is   recomuended  under 
ordinary   conditions.     Y/horc   irrigation  is   necessary  the  potatoes   are   genernl- 
ly  ■  ridged.     This   ridging  can  be  done  v/ith  lis-oer   cultivator  attachments    or 
single   plov/ ,  the   first   tv;o   being  a  little  better  adapted   for  this  work. 
If  the  field  is  to  be  ridged,  this   should  be  done  before  the  vines      have 


Course  33  Fage  9  Lesson  6 

bloomed,  for  af-^,er  this  time  many  of  the  roots  will  be  broken  off  by  this 
second  operaxion. 

Harvesting-  Potatoes  are  harvested  in  California  by  three 
different  methods,   1.  By  hand;  2.   by  the  use  of  a  plow  and  lister,  and  3. 
by  the  use  of  special  harvesting  machinery-  If  considerable  acreage  is 
put  in,  and  ^vhere  the  soil  conditions  will  warrant  it,  harvesting  by  machinery 
is  by  far  the  most  satisfactory  method.   It  vould  probably  warrant  a  grower  to 
purchase  a  machine  if  he  had  over  20  acres  of  potatoes,  and  its  use  is  best 
adapted  to  soil  of  a  sandy  nature.  As  much  of  the  potato  land  in  this  state  is 
peat,  it  is  im.possible  to  use  machinery  for  harvesting.  The  method  of  pulling 
them  up  by  hand  is  one  which  is  commonly  used  throughout  the  island  sections. 
This  is  a  rather  expensive  method  of  harvesting,  but  due  to  the  peculiar  struc- 
ture of  the  soil  it  is  the  most  practical  one-   This  is  not  recommended,  hov/ever, 
■where  harvesting  can  be  done  by  machinery  or  by  the  use  of  the  plow  and  lister. 
7/hen  harvesting  potatoes  by  hand,  one  group  of  men  go  along  and  pull  the  plant? 

from  the  soil,  the  second  group  coming  after  them  vdth  potato  forks  and  dig 
around  in  the  earth  to  get  what  potatoes  they  can.   This  method  is  very  unsatis- 
factory, for  a  large  number  of  potatoes  are  left,  and  many  are  injured  by  being 
stuck  with  the  fork.   This  is  the  method  which  is  commonly  used  by  the  Chinese 
and  Japanese  potato  growers. 

The  most  advantageous  method  for  harvesting  potatoes  for  the 
ordinary  grower  is  by  plowing  them  out  by  the  use  of  a  plow  and  lister 


Course  33.  Page  10.  I/es^on  b. 

The   Icttsr   implr-!r:3nt  '-rin   be    found  innch  r.iore;   satisfactory,  r.s   it  thro'7S 
the  potatoes   o.i  both  sides    ol   the  re,;,  and  pe'wS  a  larger  peicenlage    out  than 
the  plc-.7  v;il"i. .     '.""'lOn  usiur  xhis   implerent  ,   it   shovld  be  put    in  t/.e  ground 
directly   ov:;r    'he   plants,   and  having  a  horse  -7<il>;  in  ep^ch   iurrc;/.      xhe  time 
cf  harvestinr;  depe:.d--5  '.vriolly  upon  the   season   of  the  year.     VJhere  potatoes 
are  gro"7n  for  the  early  spring  r;ark'3t  ,  they  are   generally  ?.arvested  before 
they  rre   fully  rrac;\i,rod    in   order  to   -"ct  the   in'-.reased    profit   due  tc  the   hiq;her 
prices   in  the   early  spring.      In   qro'vin^  the  ^ain  crop,  the   plenxc   should 
alv/ays  br  allcved  to  oerome   fully  matured,    for  if  dug  too   soon  the*/  ivill  not 
keep  ■^■■ell.     The  crop  :s   rsneraliy  ready  to  be  harveoted  when  the  vines  have 
died   do'-vn,  and  the   okin   on  the  potato  will  no'v   slip  easily.      Potatoes  can  be 
held   for   se"errl  nonths   in  thi   ground  ,   and   it    i;.   often  advisable  to   leave  them 
in  a?   late   as   possible    ir  -hs   fall   in    order  xc    -ct   the   hi^^h  prices  vdiich  they 
generally  brin~  d"ring  the   late  vrinter  and  early  spring.     They  should,  however, 
be   harvef"ted   before  the   rar'ns  have   ccmnenced,   for  there  rnr.y  be  dan;';er   of  a 
seco^id   .-^ro'TGh  starting  ;.f  xh3   soil   has   been  v-et . 

Liarketin^.      Po+atoes   are   generally  ;:iarketed   in   sacks;    each 
sack  ".'Sighing  from  110  to   130  lbs.      Potatoes  v.'hich  are   grown  on  the  drie:    =cils 
■.generally  ^vei.'^h  appro.xi.'";ateIy  110  lbs.   per   nack  ,  'vhile  those  grov;n  in  peat, 
'=iV-C]  as   is   found   in  th-j   Islands,   ,q;enerally  'veigh  about   120  lbs.    per   sack, 
ioine  are   sold   locally,   but    a   large   percentage   are   shipped   out    of  the   state.   The 
very  early  sorin;.-  crop  is   soir-etiae^   marketed   i.n  boxes   or  crates,  the   latter 
holding  prtctically  a   Ivshel. 


Course   33.  Page   11.  Lesson  6. 

Varieties.        Of  -the  many  varieties    of  potatoes   grown   in 
the  United   States,  there   are    four  which  are   com.'nonly   found   in  California. 
The--:e   are  the  Burbank ,  Early  Rose,  American  l/cnder  and  Fnite  Ro?e  ,  the 
choice   depending  largely  upon  the   locality. 

The   cur'jank  variety   is   one  which   is  i^-zell  adapted  to  certain 
sections    in  Calif  oriiir.      and   is   especiall"  popular   m  the   Salinas  Valley  in 
the  vicinity   of   San  Frrncisco   .R-ay  t.nd   so:je   of    -he   Islands   near   Stockton.      It 
is   a  r=ither  lat?  matvnng  variety  and   an  exce-lient    keeper  ,   lut    is  not 
adapted   to  the  hot   and  dry   sections    sitch  as   are    found   in  the   uppvor   Sacrar.:5nto 
and  San  Jopquin  Valleyc  ,   especially  during  the    sui/cnsr.      The  Early  F.ose  ,   is 
the  raost   popular  vs.rir;ty  Ic"  an  early  maturing  variety.      It    seems  to  be 
adapted   to   practically  ail    'J.ie   sections    of   Calif  ornir   at   the   season   in  v.-hich 
it    is   fl;rov/n,  but    is   not    of  a?    £rood   quality  as   v.cme    of  the   other  varieties. 

The  Acierican  Vionder  potato  is  the  most  popular  variety  ercm 
in  raany   Suctions    oi   tlie  state,  especially  throughout  the   dacrantento  and 
San  Joaquin  Valleys.     The  quality   of  this  potato   is   good,  and  the   keeping 
qualities  are  excellent.      It  natures  early,  and   is  an  excellent   heeper. 

The  V.'hite  Rose  variety   is   quite   popular   in   California,  and   is 
used  lar;^ely  for  the  mi  l-sur^mer  crop  in  ooi'thern  California. 

Diseases.     Potatoes  in  California  have  several   serior.s 
dl'ea'ses  which  cut   down  the   yield   mP-terially,      One   of  the  v;orst  troubles 
which  the  grov;er  has  te  contend  vith  is  "Rhizoctonia" .     T'lis   is  a   fungus 
disease  and   is  found  very  generally  throughout  the  potuto  fields   of  California. 


Course. 33.  pr ge  12,  Lesson  6, 

It   appears    on  tVie   potato  as   black  .spots  'vhich  very   closely  resemble   black 

pieces    of  earth.      It    i?   noticed    on  the   vines  by  the  oppearance    of   rotted 

areas,    generally  at   the   er.-l    cf  the  mam  root,  ■■vhxch   checks  thoir  grovth,   and 

often  reduces  the   ydeld .      For  the  control   of  this  disease,  the  seed  potatoes 

rhould  be  soaVed   for  two  hours   just   before  planting  in  the   followinf^ 

solution:  Corrosive   Sublimcte   -   1   ounce 

Vteter  -  8  gallons. 

Land  which  has  already  bcconie   infectyd  witli  th.is   disease   should   not    be 

planted  with  potatoes,  but   a  rotation  of  crops   should  be  practiced   for  a 

sufficie.nt  number   of  yeers  to  starve  the  diser.?e    out    of  the    soil. 

The   common  Bcab  is   found  very   frequently  in  tne  potato  fields 
and  appears    on  the   potato  as   rough   scurvy  areas.      This    is   controlled  by 
dipping  the   peed    potatoes   in  the    solution   given  above   for   the   control   of 
Rhizoctonia   or   by   using  one   pint    of   lorinalin  to   30  gallons    of  water.      Land 
v/hich   is  already   infectsd  -.-ith  this   disease    should  be   put    on  a  rotation   of 
crop",   until   it   has   died   out    in  the   soil. 

Fusarium  ■■.'ilt .      This   diaease    is    found   in  California  to   quite 
a   large   extent  ,   and   is   the   cause   of  the   dry  rot  ^hich   is   so   corn'^only   found 
in  the   potatoes.      This  trouble   appears   at   the   stern  end    of  thi  tuber   near   the 
surface   of   the  ground  ,  where   it  .niakes  the  appearance    of   rotted  areas    in  the 
tuber,   making  it  worthless    for  the  market.      For  the   control   of  this   disease 
the   n;ro'.'er   should   be  very  careful  that   none   of  the   seed   is   infected.      This 
can  be   easily   seen  by   carefully  exanininp,  each  potato   before   plantuig.      Soil 
■'/hich   is   diseased   should   not   be   planted  to  potatoes   for   several  years. 


CoiiTse   33.  Page   13.  Lesson  6. 

Internal  Brown  Streak.      This  disease  is  very  coDraonly   found 
in  potatoes  vmich  are   grown   in  valleys    of   high  altitude,   but    is  very  rarely 
seen  xhrough  the   large   potato  gro'vini-   sections.      The  disease  is   character- 
izoo  by  the  appearance   of   brown   streaks  through  the   interior   of  the  tubers 
■'■'ith  no  apparent   retting  to  the    s'.-rfr.ce  ,   for   3ven  the   infected  tubers  v/ill 
be   found  norirally   souiid  throughcux.      "There   it    occurs,   hov/ever,   it   ic    generally 
so   severe  that  the   grov/er   finds   difficulty  in  disposing  of  his   crop.      This 
trouble   seems   to  be  as   oad    in  soil  ^"hich   is   sxcvjlnc  potatoes   for  the    first 
time   as  -vhere   tVis   crop  has   been   jj;ro\7n  c  c'ltinually.      There   does  not   seem  to 
he   any  orsanisn  connected  v-ith   it,   and  the   control   lies   principally   in  dipping 
the   seed   in   forinalin  8s   for   scab,  and   p]  anting  early   in  the   season.      It 
generally  appears  "/orse   in  drier   soil,   so  thr.t    irrigation   should   be   practiced. 

Insect   Pests 


j'leraatode  Worm.        The  Nematode   or  Eel  v/orra  is  a  very  serious 
pest  to  potato  groovers  in  certain  sections   oi  the   State.      This   small   insect 
or  '.for-.a  as   it   is   commonly  called,   lives   in  the   potato,   and  v;hen  an   infected 
seed   is  planted  the  soil   is  also  infected.     The  v/orm  causes  the  appe^xraiices 
of  rou!;hened  places   on  the  tuber  beneath  the  skin,  and  is   easy  recognizable. 
The  re;.:edy   lies   in  crop  rotation,   and   planting   only  non-infected    seed. 

Tuber   lioth.      This   is  a   very  common  insect    in  certain   potato 
rro^'inr  sections,   r^nd   one  v/;iich  annually  causes    large  losses.     The  •■7orr:'s  en.t 
into  the   potatoes,   and  -vhere  the   insect   is   pl?5ntiful,  will   riddle  them  v.ith 
flraall  holes,  milking  them  unfit   for  use.     As  a  rule,  the  potatoes  vjhich  are 


Gourde   33.  Pa^re   14.  Lesson   6. 

j.lnnt'jfi    in   sandy  coils   are    infpcted   more   coriwonly  than  v/hen  grov/ing   m  the 
heavier   typHc  ,      below  are    several  methcis  which  are   recommended    for  the:.r 
control : 

1.  rigging  the   crop  as   soon  as  the   tuber?   h3ve   matured. 

2.  After  digging,   sack  the   potatoes   as   scon  as   pos3J.ile, 
and   nbver  ailov;  the   potatoe:^   to   be  expo-;ed   dui-inj;  the 
night  after  Ismg  dug,  ae  ti.at   is  the  time  the   moths 
fly  around  and   lay  their  eggs. 

3.  Ne\-er  cover  the  pota-^L,oes  with  the  tops. 

4.  Deep   planting  and   early  planting   in  the   spring  i^ 
recoirinended. 

5.  Ridging  the   potatoes  aids  materially   in  preventing  the 
entrance   of  these  worms. 

6.  Never   store   potatoes   in  bins  ^vhich  contained  v/orm  in- 
fected  potatoes  the  previous    season. 

7.  If  the  worms   have   gained    entrance  to  t^-^e  tubers   -vhile   in 
storag'-;,      fumigation  should   be   practic:!d. 


Cour-e   33.  P^.g-e   15.  LeGso;i  5. 

QUELiTIONS 

1.  (?i)     V/i-ier3   is  the   original  home   of  the  potato:      (b)      iJsr.e  the  aost 

irr>port?.nt   potato  pro':lu.ci;ip   sectic.J   6i   California,      (c)     What    i<;   the 
average   prcduction  per   acre   in  thi-   state? 

2.  To  what   type   of  soil   is    :  he  ocoat  j  be-^t   suited?     Hc\?  should  d  field 
be  prepared    for  plant ir^T 

3.  '■.'hat    factoi's  govern  the  time  of   planting  poxatoes?       name  three 
methods   of   olani-in^. 

4.  V/hat   precautions  are   nec'^3?':ry  in   irrig?.ting  potatoes? 

5.  Describe  the   cultivation  of  a   potato   field. 

6.  ''ive  three  methods    of   harvesting  potatoes. 

7.  Hume   four  varieties   of   potatoes  most   comr-on  in  California  cad  xho   section 
to  r.'hich  each   is   adapted. 


8.  '  ";i3t   is  the  method   foi    combating  bc-ib  ,  Rhisoctcnia  ,  £nd  tut.'^r  not- 


ny 


Address  all  corre-jpoiideuce  to  the   DIVTJJC;*  OF  kGT.lCVLTJ'J.i. 
EDUCATIOI!  ,  UIu^ZnSITy  CF  CALIFQF.MIA ,  EERiSLEY  .  CALIi^CRNIA. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  nM^yimUA 
UOLLEGE   OF  AGRIGvLTCRE 
/.;}RICULTURaL  EXl'^El^lfffil.'T  GTVriOH 
JiERIML.ZY 


David  p..   Ba.-ro-/r...    Prasid'snt, 
Thonas  F-   Hurt,    Dean 
H.   E.   Van  Nornw»;,   Vice-Director 
aud   Deaii  Tjnivbrsity  Faim  ISchool 


G  C  R  R  E  S  P  C  N  D  S  N  C  L; 

I  n 

A  G   R   I    C  U  L  T  U  R  E 


C   0  U   R  3  E   S 


COURSE  53 
VEf^xETABLE  GARDEHING 
By  S .   S ■   Ko33r3 
Lcs&on  7 


Address  r.ll   cormunic-itions   relative  to   the   correspondr^Kce   courses  to 

DIVISION   OF  A-li^.TCULIURAL  EDUCATIOi; 
UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
EERKEI.EY 


Course  33.  Page   ?••  Less  on  7. 

SVJEET  POTATOES  ONiONo 

S'-'ee-^   Potg/.oe^:     Th;'   s-oe-^.  potatoe  wa-;   first  uied   for   food 
during  the  16. h  ccn.vry.     The  sxacx   locaiion  of   its   origin  is  nox   known,' 
but  probably  it  was  either  America   or  Asia.     Do  C'mdol  and   sever?.!   othor 
prominent   si^ientists  believe  thtre  are   stronger  argumeno:?  in  fe.vor   of 
America  than  of  Asia.     The  sweet  potato  is  gro^vn  extensively  throughout  the    . 
\^arraer  section?   of  the  United  States,  and   it   one   of  the  most   important 
vegetables  grov;n  in  California.     The  total  acreage  in  sv/eet   potatoes  in  Csl- 
ifornia  in  1900  'aas  approximately  1600  acres,  and  in  1910  the  estimated 
acreage  v/a?  5,111  acres. 

Thero  are  two  lefding  cections  in  California  where  sveet 
poidtcef^  are   produced.     The   largest  acrsagc  ic  found  in  Stanisl-us  and  Jferced 
counties  ,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  tC'/ns   of  Mcdesto  and  Merced.     The   second 
l.'reest   S'veet  potato  producing  section  in  California  is   found  in  Orange  and 
LoCi  Angeles  Counties,  and  there  ai  e  also  sone  s^eet   potatoes  grown  in  the 
Imperial  Valley.      The  average  yisVl  per  acre   in  California  v?ries  fron  50  to 
SO  saclis  to  the  acre.     Many  of  the  more  experienced  grov/ers  when  producing 
this  crop  under  favorable   conditions  get   100  sacks  to  the  acre  and ■occasionally 
as  high  yields  cs  200  or  300  sacks  are   obtained.     The  cost   of  producing  an 
acre   of  s'-ze^t  potatoes  varies   fron  5-0  to  ^40,  'vhich  does   not   include  the 
rent   or  interest   on  the  land   or  fertiliser.     The  prices  received  for  s^.-eet 
p<;tatoes  in  California  varies   from  5  to  7  cents   per  pound,  to  as  lov;  as  -|  of 
a  cent.     The  average  prices  received   for   s^/eet   potatoes  varies   from  about 
.^1.25  to  $1.75  per   sack. 


Course  33.  ppge   5.  Lesson  7. 

Gu!! tural  RtjQuiremeni  s  .     Tnc   culxural   I'cqui  I'enents   for   sv/est 
potatoes  are  very  exaotia"-,  and  v;n»"re  the  conditions  are  not    suitable   for 
the  procuctioi.  of  x'lis  crop  it   ohould  never  be  planted.      Soil  suitable   for 
planting  Gv;e3t  potatc3s  should   be   of  a  very  light   character  berdering  on  the 
sandy  loams,  p.nd  shruld  hold  water  well.      If  the  quality  cf  the  soil   is  too 
rich  the   gro'vth   of  the  plants  -vill  go  to  vines   instead   of  tc  crop,   but   if  it 
is  deficient,  in  plant   food   the  plants  •^i'ill  fail  to  trjp.ke  the  desired   sire  ^dt!) 
pr sport ionr^t el y  small  yields.     While  the  s'-'/tet   potato  does  not  reoyaire  an 
excessive  amount    cf  rroicture ,   it    should  have  reasonable    supply  throughout  the 
season.     This  verecabie   is  urao.le  to  stand  cold  -vcath.er  and  even  at  40°  F.  t]ie 
gro7rth  of  the  plants   is  much  retarded. 

Preppration   of  the   Soil.     The  prepr.ration  of  the   soil   should 
be  thorour^h,  and  a    short  tint  before  the  plants  are  set    out   in  the  field,   it 
should  be  freed   from  all  weed  grov/th  and  be  well  mulched.     'Jhere  possible, 
fall  pic-ving  is  reccmmended ,   replowing  the   field  a  short  time  before  planting. 

gro-'in,-?:  the  ?lan^ .     There  are   four  methods   for  propagating 
.•jyeat  potatoes,  namely:  by  seedin^^,  pieces  cf  tubers,  vine  cuttings  and   by 
slips.     The  firr.t   anri   second  methods  are  rarely,   if  ever,  used.     Occasionally, 
the  third  rethod  is  used,  but   this  also  is  r.  rather  undesirable  netho>i   for 
prc;3c::tio;i.     The   fou^-th,   or  propagating  by  slips,   is  •'he   one  most   conrjonly 
uried.     These  rlips  >re  produced  by  placing  the   sepd  octatoes  in  a  hot  btd  , 
alljr/inE  tbe:i  to  crt.-:;  untxl  the  vines  are  of  t:.e  proper  size.     The  exact  time 
of  laying  +h£    tuber*?   in  the   hot   b-d  depends  ".-holly  uucn  the  local  conditions; 


Course  33.  ?a.r,e  4.  Lec^sou  7. 

but   as  the   sweet   potaxo   ic   a  very   Lender   crop,  the  vin£3   choul'1  not   be   set 
in  the   field  v.vtxl   iill  d'i.iig;3r   of   frcsx   is   cv^r.      It   ir   generally  estimated 
■that   it  takea   frorr.  4   bo  5  ^jvaeks   in  the   s^ed    oed   beTore  tiiR  vine?   a.re   lar^e 
enoufh  to  plant   :  n  the   field.      The/e  are   several  metho'^lo   far  laying  these 
potatoes.     Th;r  niust   counron  one   ie  by  placing  them  '?id?   Uy   side   on"  layer 
deep,  and   co/prlng  then  jvith  4  to  6   inches    of    soil   cr   s^nd ,      Tue  potatoes 
u<"ed   for  xhis  purpore   often  vary  fror.  as   sm?.ll  as  a  cigar  to  as  large  as 
4   or   5   pounds   in  weirht  ,   bvt   the   bert    size   is    one  I'/hich   is    froM  ly  t  o  2 
inches   in  diameter  through  the   larirest   p-^.rt .      Ix   is  generally  estinaxed  that 
bctv.'een   5  r.nd   10  tacusand   pL^nts   are   required   to   set    one   acre,   and   the 
larger  number   shorld   be   figured   en  in   order  that   the   ^,rcv;er   should   have   a 
■■jv'f iicient   supply   o"   ui'.ants.      Froin  one  bushel   of  ne'^iurn  tubers   cne  can 
reasonably  expect    from  2  ro   3  tliousand  plants. 

Afts'"  the  tubers  hive  been  covered   in  the   seed  bed  they 
should  be  lightly  vrtered  ,   for  if  they  are   over-irri^^ated  ,  they  -'/ill  rox. 
'i'he  plants  are  re:?oved  by  pulling  then  up  by  the  roots,  and   usual"'y  2   or  3 
drar.'ings    from  a  bed  can  be  .-Tiads.     The   plants  should   bu   from  4  to  C   inches  in 
height   at  the  tine    cf   d raving. 

Planting-      The   fiela   shoul'^   act  be   planted   until   all   dan^;er   cf 
frost   is    over,    for  they  are  very  tender  ,  and   during  cool  weather  their 
growth   is   pnythirg  bux   vigorous.      Cf   the   several   methods   used   for   setting 
the  ulanc=    in   the    field,   the   use   of   high  ridges    is   advocated. 

"The   Louisiana  Agricultural   Experiment    Station  carried   on  an 
experinienx    corparing  the  various  mrtnods    of   planting,  vi'ith  the  result   that 


Course   3?.  Pag-j   5.  Lesson  7. 

the  yields  when  ^jlanting  the  plants  under  level  cultivf.ticn  v;as  prcctically 
130  bi-saeli;   p&"  acre;  v;hsrc    the  ridjce  '.as  maie  4   inches  high,   319  bushels 
v;ere  secured,   ridginjj  8  inches  high,   secii-pd  r-  y?eld    of   1^'7  bushel";    12  rnz\ 
ridging  yielded  abojt    221  bushel^,   ani  x'^e   yields   uijori  a   16   inci.  rid^^t  ^vas 
261  bushels,      In  Calif ornir.  the  ridges  .aro   generally  nadi   fror.  ''±  to    3  inches, 
and  -are  thrc^-n  up  by  the  use    of  a  pic-v   or   specially  made  iiTiplement ,      These 
ridges  are   p-enrrally  1  te  ?   f°e'c  ";ide  ,  and  a^-e   levelled  do"'n  ry  means   of  a 
plank  dreg  cr  hariov,'.     After  theoe  iiave  rerained  long  enough  so  tJist  the 
earth  ir.   s:":ttled  ,  t'ley  are  rsady  for  plantin.-;.      The   plants  are  t^enerally  set 
fron  3    iCou  to  13   inchec  apart   on  the   ed^c   of  each  ridge. 

A^',-er  the  planxs  have  been  pui]sd  they  should  be   shaded  until 
tiiey  have  been' r-^f^l -r.;-,  ;>»^  ^   nnd   set   j.n  the   'ground  a  little  deeper  than  they 
,^re";  in  the   seed  tod.'    Goor.  after   th.e   plants  have  beed  sot    out  ,  the   field  is 
generally  irri.ga+ed   in   order  to  st'trt   ths>  gro;;-th.      The   exect  number   of  irri- 
gations depend  'vhclly  upOii  t'le   local  ccnditicns,   b'-.t  the   s'veet   potato  in  a 
crrpt'iat   requires  a  very  small  amount    cf  vvater   as  coi.ipared  to   some   oth^r 
vcgetab""  eg.      An  over  supply   of  moisture   is  liable  to  cause  ths  viue  tc  groi7 
ax  the   expense   oi   the  crop.      The  -I'dter  is  applied  by  running-  in  tV.e   furroi-? 
bet-veen  the  ro-rs   cf  plants,  being  careful  thc.t    it  doe-j   not   come  in  direct 
ccntpct  '.vith  the  plv.nt", 

)lult_ivi-. i  on .     As   soon  a?  ^he   plants  have  '' egun  to  gro"' ,  the 
field   is   ,^en    ■  -one   over  with  the  variout;   cultivator  iinpleraents  ,   in  order 

tc   Wee-j  the  '-f&.s'd   prrcvyth  dO'-n ,  and  to  \:eep  the   Durrr-ca  v;ell  mulched.     After 
the  vines  have  begun  to  covor  the   riiges,  the  cultivation  should  be   stopped, 


Course   33.  Pap;e  6.  Le-^son  7. 

I' or  they   shouli   rot   be   dicturbe-i  ,   -..nd   wei'ds  which  appear   from  ncvj  en,  v;ill 
hav^  to  b?  puils'i  by  hand   cr  hand  hoed.      Geveral  experiments  have  been 
.>irx-ied   ou  to  dj+trnin?;  -rhether  cr  not   the   piiT-viing  back   of  thy  vines  ha<;  any 
effect   upon  t'.e  yields,      rro.n  t";e   .'lata  which  has  been  collected,  this   practice 
is  not   re:oT.nended  ,   for  the   highest   yields  are    obt'\inod  'vhere  the  vines  are 
growing  undisturbed,  a^'i-er  the  potatoes  have   formed, 

HciTVost^g,      The  harvesting  most   commonly  done   is  by  plowing 
out  the  crop  where  the  acreage   is   net   lar^re  ,  although  the   potatoes  are   some- 
times due  '!~y  hand.      Thr^  crop  is  re'^dy  to  be  harvested  vhen  zYe  vines  commence 
•*--o  turn,  yellow  or  huve  died   down,   but   in   some   sections   of  California  the 
clii^ate  is  so  iriild  x]'.at  the   tops  do  not  dry  as    soon  as  desirable,  and   often- 
time"   a  seccn''''    t^rowth    itarts.     V/l-ien  this  happens,  the  vines  are   generally  cut 
off  at   the   surface    of  t>e  ground,   and  the  potatoes  are  plowed   out,   regardless 
of  the   condition   of  the  vines.      After  the  potatoes  are  dug,  they  are   iramediate- 
ly   sortod  ,  pl-.ced   i:i  sacks   or  boxes  and   shipped  to  the  market  as   soon  as 
possible.      As  the   s'-reex   potato  keeps  very  poorly,   it   is  not   generally  held   in 
storage   for  any  consid':rable   len<rth  of  tine, 

":urkutiup.    Tho  nost   coi.snon  method    of  inarketing  sv.eet    potatoes 
is   in  sacks   or  crates,  the   former  being  ured  when  the   potatoes  are  to  be  sold 
inmediateiy,  rnd  th'  latter  -'here  they  are  to  be   shipped  to  long  distance 
markets  ,    or  at  t;ie   beginning   of  the   season.      It    is  very   iraportant   that  the 
crcp  be   handled   carefully  after  being  dug,    for   it   is  very  tender  and  every 
bruise  '-ill   mean  a   rot   in  a   short  time.      Occasionally,  this  crop   is   gro'vn   for 
;.tcrag3  purpobes  ,  and  ^vhsn  this   is  to  he  done,  the  plants   should  be    set    out  as 


Course   33.  Page   7.  Les-jon  7. 

late   as   uonrsitle   in  ^    -_    •    riug ,   and-  tlie   crop":^   yho'al'i   reai."i.i   in  th^    s-^il   until 
the  vires  hax^e  heen  kill-2'^   "jv   frort    in  t'^e   ff.ll    or  winter.     Thej'  L^hov.l'i ,  ho'7- 
■  ever  ,   be   •>."t  V-f'-'   ■    •        .'in   -xftv':-,   r  ■?  --ii-    stort^   :i  sccciri    ~vc-'ir.  vhich 
injurs?   their  qiiality,      ;'&ny  gro'V3r<t   i:a--e   loTt    heavily-   iro:.i  tryin-;  tc   storo 
-vfeet  potctoos.     Those  \r?ho' are  fro  r.iost   '-•ucces'?x"-al    gener£j.lly  '•-tore  tne  crop  in 
be.semei:i: "  -'■■.   -:   'r      co.l   '  U'",   iry  ,   -^.^yA    ^tra'T  is    '^o-iet^me-:    ijlsced    on   ''^e   floor 
and  betT/een  t^G  layers   of  potatoe-,      h  fev/  gro'-ysr?   Inave  ftooa   succc'ss  by  <;tcr- 
■■.ng  their  crop  in  boxss   or  oraxes  ,   baing  very   careful  that  thr?re   is  a  yjOod 
circulation  of   fresh  air  urcund  thtr,      '-.'.'eeo   poi^ixces  shcuif^.  aever  be  store'i 
in  sack?   or  barrel",  the  ino-jt   setisfactory  "'ay  being  the   first  method  livf.n. 

Vfr j.f ties,   Prcfe^sor  K.    J,   Wickson   en  page   327   of  hi.-;?   book 
fcntitip'!   "California,  "o^y-tabxfc;;  ,"   gives  th-5   follov/ins;  regarding  the  varietie??: 

"rr..lfjbly  c'll  t  -e   irproved  Yr.ristit".s 'have    oeen  intro'''.v:Ci'"l   ir- 
Calif  ornia.      The    '^^li"''c""'T;.2   denand   i-^    :  ~i    '.-  ■/::":--''-'-;  'M.b.   xs   rether  dry  and 
r^ecily  v'hen  cooked,  .ai-;hoi-.gh  thr,   softer,   si.veetsr   sori.?  have   sorie  advocates. 
The  rao^'t   comncn  virietv  .;.r   calle~   '    •      -lif  crnian ,  but   it    is  a  Chinese  sort 
'-'hr 'i"ced   in  oarly  days.      The   6c-;. ':--^rn  :i\\-2(in  and  the  '.lanaerr.cndG  are  also 
popiilar  ,  nnd  th?   Jersey  i.ed  is   ero^-'n  to  so.'ie   extent   in  southern  California.  ' 

Ji-.J.  ■iiij 

Farly  History.   The  onion  has  been   in  use   f  or  -Jiany  years  ,  and 
••■'■'■   conside'-ed  to  be   one   oT  the  oiief  veretr.blcs  by  the  early  RoKians  ,  Greeks, 
?:-' ■   b^-er.  -i".ii  L.iiinere  and  Japaiiese.      'h-ie  crigin   of  this  vegc?.table  ha?  been  a 
v'i-.y   disouted  que'ition   for  3ears,   bu\.   A;ja  is  no--  tnov.jjht  to   be   its  ho.Tie. 


'^ovrse  53.  Page  3.  Lessen  7. 

Inuov '-.£■.•  ;ce  in  Calif  jrnia.  The  onioia  hae  Icng  been  concidcreC 
to  be  one  of  the  leadin;;-  arriculturr,!  crops  t-n   Calif  orriia  ,  and  in  i£:t,  in 
the  production  of  o'lions  ,  California  rarks  among  the  first.   The  averpge 
number  of  car:  o?    o.uo.is  -/hich  a.re  year?-/  shipperl  fro!n  California  is  approx- 
imately 20uG  ,  and  t'tiis  ^oe-:  net  takr  into  considerc.ticn  the  immense  amount  of 
oniono  '-hich  are  con&uned  v/ithin  the  limixs  of  xhe  ^tats.   Onions  are  grovm 
in  every  county  in  California,  but  the  most  important  onion  producinfr  sections 
of  the  State  are  in  the  vicinity  of  the  larger  cities,  such  as  Sa.i  Francisco, 
Oakland,  Dacr-^mentc,  Los  AngDies  ,  and  xhroughcut  the  Delta  region  and  Imperial 
Valley.  Not  only  are  onions  gro'-n  as  ?  vegetable,  but  an  immense  acreage  is 
planted  each  vear  for  the  pro'Iuctioa  o:  onion  seed  v'hich  is  shipped  from  Cali- 
fornia to  all  parts  of  th?.  v;orld.   Growing  onions  for  seed  purposes  is  carried 
on  ^o?tiy  in  ohe  Tsiita  Clara  rnd  San  Benito  counties,  although  recently  a  large 
acreage  has  oeea   plantpd  through  certain  sections  of  the  Bacraaento  valley. 

Yields .   r.ie  average  production  of  or^ions  throughout  the  State 
is  estimated  tc  be  100  "-acl's  per  acre.  A  safe  estimate  is  probably  150  sacks 
per  acrp;  the  skilled  groover  i/ho  1=^  producing  this  crop  under  favorable  con- 
ditions may  reasonably  expect  from  ^.50to  30J  sacks  per  acre  and  occasionally 
the  grower  realises  as  higi:  as  400  cr  500  sacks  per  acre. 

Cost  of  Production  and  Prices  P.ec<='ived.   The  prices  received  for 
onions  iluctui.teo  mjre  than  ■■vith  any  other  vegetable.   During  certain,  season? 
the  grover  rray  rcflize  several  hundred  dollars  net  per  acre  while  in  certain 
other  year"  the  ■"•al-.e  of  the  crop  vill  be  so  lov;  as  to  prohibit  harvesting, 
r.enerally,  the  highest  prices  are  paid  for  onions  during  the  early  spring  up  t  c 


Course  33.  Page  9.  Leseoii  7. 

ths  ir.onth  cf   June,  t.nd  at  this  season  of  the  year  the  grower  o-ften  receives 
as  hig'i  as  $3.00  or  s^'i.OO  par  sack.     The  aveiage  price   for   onions  depends  on 
the  ?eason  oi  tne   y-e.!- ,  and  var'.es   from  Cl.OO  to  03.00  per  sa;k.     Curing  the 
sumraor  and   fall  i:,on-oh<5  tht  pricee  usually  vary  from  v. 50  to  (pi -00  per   snck, 
and  during  tlie  v/inter  and  spring  laonths  the   grov/ert,  usuiily  get   from  §1.00  to 
v4.00  per  sack. 

Cultural  Requireifien^s.        The   c:iicn  does   best    on  a  rather  light 
soil  which  may  be  clashed  as  a  light   pan'^y  loan  or   silt   in  which  there   is  a 
large  quantity  of  the  plaut   food  elements.     The    onion  is   least  adapted  to 
coarse  gravelly  soil   or  heavy  adobe,  ani  all   soils   of  a  very  poor  character. 
As  the  root    system  is  very  shallow,  the  r.oiTture   should  al-'ays  remain  near 
the  su'-face,  th'>s  the  physi'-.al  co-iiitiGns   should   be   such  as  to  make  this 
possible.      This  vegetable  "H'ill   <"tand  ?   much  lor;er  degree    of  temperature  than 
many  of  the  more  tender  vegetables,  and   is   especially  adapted   for   growing 
during  the  v/intcr  in  some   of  the  milder   sections   of  the    state.     It   does  better 
in  the  humid   localities  ratner  +han  v/here  the  atmosphere   is  too  hot   and  dry. 
There   is  no   other  vegetable  which  requires   such  a  careful    preparation  of  the 
soil,  end  at  the  time   of  planting  tho  groif/er   should  have  a  very  fine  mulch  on 
the  surface,  and  the    field  should  be  entirely  free   from  weed  gro'vth. 

Planting.      There  are  tliroe  methods   cf  groving  the   onion: 
lowing  the  seed  directly  in  the   field,  transplanting  the    young  plants  v;hich 
have  been  grown  in  a  seed   bed,  and  by  planting  sets.     The    first  and   second 
method?  are  }irefer<'.ble.      In  many  sections  the  eesd  is  sov/n  in  cold   frames 
during  S'jptembor  ,  the  young  planto  bfing  transplanted  into  the   field  during 


3ou-se   33.  Pa^^e  IC,  Lesson  7, 

Mcveabe;-  and  .'Jeceirber ,      I.i  locaiitiss  "'hioh  are   un^uitt-l   for  growing  the 
crop  at  this   season  of  the  yet-r  the  plant."  are   ^et    out   -^arinp:  February  and 
'r.rch.     '.vh'-.re  th-;   o^ed  is   scvn  'iir-ictly  in  trie    liel-^  ,  +hi?   if   ?,cneraily  '■lone 
het'veen  the  Ttiurth'-    of  Tebrv.ary  ar/I  May  in'^lu^iiv? ,     v;here  the   cultivation  is 
to  be   carried   en  by  horse  'Ira'.-n  inpleraenty  ,  the   rov;s   Gho.iJ.d  be   3  to  4  feet 
a:mrt  ,  but  '"here  hann   Ir.iplprr.ents  are   uoed  they  may  be  plante'l  1   foot  apart. 
The   onion  should  not  be  more  than  4-  inche-  apart    in  the   row,  the   exact   dis- 
tance dftpendinr;  1.ar",oly  u-pon  xhe  variety  and   reason  of  the  year  at  v;hich  tney 
are   ^ro---'n.  A  ?et   is  a^i   cnion  i;>;ich  has   stopped  grouins:;  prematurely,    out 

'vhen  planted  arrain  v/ill  recurae  its  gro'.rth.     The  quality   of  the   soil  may  be 
much  poorer   for   '-ror/in^,  sets  than  for   ordinary   onion  c.-.ltv.re  ,  and  the   seed  is 
sown  at   the   rate   of  about   t^r^enty  pou.nds   per  acre.      This   arricunt  v;ill   be   heavy 
enouf^h  sc   tliat   the   y^un^;   olants  v;ill   stand  in  th.e  ror.'S  as   close  as  possible. 
The  plants   should  not  be  thinned,  but   care   should  be   taken  that  they  are  not 
choked   out  by  i'-.ve  'veed   -ro"-th.     The   sets  should  not    be  more  than   one   half 
inch  in  cian.eter  ,   and   if  t":ie   soil   is    of   a  poor   quality  and   the   seed   planted 
thick  enough,   they  i-ill   soon  reach  the   possibility   of   their   -ro'vth  and    should 
stop  groving  td    about  the   desired   size.        If   irrigation   is   practiced,  the 
-ater   should   be   kept    off  +lie    field  ^■-hen   it    is   desired  to   check  the   grw;th. 
Thev-  are   pulled   in  the   fall,    stored   over  the  r.dnter   and   set   in  the    field  the 
-"ollo'-'inr,  spring. 

I-vi-^ation  and  .Cultivation .      Irrigation  is   generally  necessary 
at   9ome   pev5o;   dari.ip-  the   frrovth   of  the    onion,   and  the  ^vater   is   applied   in 
sunken  beds.      It   is,  ho-'ever,  very  important  thr.t   after  the  onion  has  begun  to 


Course  33.  Page  7-1.  Lesson  7. 

mature  that  t:.e  -/ster    jupjly  he   cut.    cff,   for   if    irrigation,  ia   carried   on  duri; 
this   period   oi    grcv/th,  the   rscult   '••ill   be  a  crop   o"   soullicns    ^jt  big  neck 
onions  -^'liich  '■■.:  e  vc-y  ^nidesirciblo.      The   Calt^vacicn  shoui'^-   be   s"ch  durin- 
the   gro^vth  of  the;    c.iioas  that   the   soil   is  v.-eli  mulched  and  tiie  -./eed   gi'owth   is? 
kept   ill  check,     k'i  the   cnion  is   such  -%  shallow   feedin,^  crop,  t'le  cultivation 
should   be   shalio";,   and   care   should   be  taken  net   to   injure  the   roots    of  the 
plants. 

Harve-tir.g.      The   crop  ic   ready  to  te  harvested  -'hen  the 
rafjority   o-^  the  tops   have  turned   troi-n.      nt   this  tir-e  the   plants  are   either 
pulled  by  liand   or  by  speci?-l  rachinory  ,  piled   in  vrindrou's  v/here  they  are 
allo'ved  to  drv  until  the  tops  ha*. e  bec.;ir!e  conplccel]'  shrivelled  up.     After 
this,  the  top?  a-e  twisted    or  cut    off    from  the   bulb'^  and  the   latter  are   put    ii 
sacks.     The  onicnr  are  usually  sorood  ''Tid   sacked   in  the  field  ,  and  hauled 
directly  to  the   '•^s-rket.      Ofteiitir.ies  ,   it    xz   desirable  :ict   tc  wait   until  the 
crop  is   fully  tT'aturod  before  c c:.imencinf:  harveeting  as  there   is  ?   lorge  demand 
for  bunch   onions   and   si.Tell    onionT    used   for  boiling.     "7hen   sold   as   green   onion; 
the/  are   genera.liy   ')laced   in  bunches   containing   from  \  to   6   ?.nd   shipped  to 
t':e  market   in  crr.tes.     This  :iiet'iod   of   hervesting  is  used  r.ostly  during  the 
early   spring  raon-chs.     V/hen  the   crop  is  to  be   stored,  t}-ie    onions   should  not   be 
:iarvested  vmtil  tv.e-'  have   fully  matured  ,  luid  they  are  then  placed  in  sacks 
and   put    into  a   suitable  building  which  will   keep  the  dampness    out  ,  and   in  whit 
the  temperature   cm  he   kept    rpther   cool.      Cnion-.  lyill   ke'^p  best    if   storsd   in 
crates   nr   spr'^ad    on  the   floor   in  a  thin  layer.      The   onions   are   usually  inarket- 
ed   in  sackc-  holding  ap2jro:;iraately  100  pounds.      During  the   off   season  they  are 
sometimes  merketod   in  crit:,es. 


Course  33. 


Page  12, 


Lesoon   7, 


Vr..riotiog.     The  besc  all   aroand  v&riet'.es  v/nere  a  good  ksep- 
inp,   cnior   ie  required,  are  the   Ausxralian   Brown  and   y-.llo'"  gj  o'j?   Dsnvprs, 
Frr  +he   eh^lv   opriii-  c^-'cp  t^.-^.   I^blian  l->e-I  v-iil   be   I'cund   a  very  cssiratle 
vt.rictv,   a?    11   i'..   vyry  quick  r'a^xTing,   aithovgn   it   "d?.l   net    keep  ".s  ■vel"'-, 
but   onions  a~  tbis    sear.cn  of  the   year  are  generully  in  such  a   dertand  that    the 
rrro'er  doer  net  have  to  hrld  hi:-,  crop. 


5. 


T.iF?iI0i-i3 
What   aro  the    3cil,   jci.-turp   and   clinatic   req■;ir-■5r..^nts    of  the   sweet 
pot  ate? 

Desc"ibe  method    -if   nropag^.ting ,   growing  and    nerve  sti-ng   s^'ieet   potatoes, 
Hov.'  are   onion;   planned!      LJame  t-,;o  varieties   of    "ood    kseping   onions, 
'Tnat   ?.re  tiie    scii,   climatic   ax.d   L.oicture   i-equirciirsnts    for   onions? 
■.7ha>;   is  t/;?   a^erpge   production  per  acre    of   onions   in   California? 


jid-^.re-s   '11   correopondence  tc  the  DIVI5ICN  OF  AGRxGULTUKAL 
EDUCATi^ON,  UiilVi^PSITY  OF  CALIFORMIA  .   BERPSLSY  .   CALIFORNIA. 


miTJFRZlTI   CF  CALIFORiriA 
COLLSOE   OF  AG'JCULTURE 
AGRICULTI31AL  E::PERIi.E:NT  ST;.TI0N 
BERICELEY 


David   p.   Ijicirrows ,   Presicant 
Thomas   F.   Hunt,    Dean 
H.   E.   V^n  Mornan;   Vice-Director 
and   Dean  University  Farm  Cchool 


C   0  R  R  E  S  P  0  l^;  D  E  H  G  E       COURSES 

I  U 
AGRICULTURE 


OUUvOjIi     Aj>.A.IJ.X 

VEGETABLE   GARDEIIIMG 
By   S.    3.   Rorers 
Les'son     S 


AddresB  all  ccrxiui^r.catio-ns   x-elativc-  to  the  cor.rcsporcsr'CG  cou.-se:. 

Division  OF  A31IGULTUR-\L  SDUGATIOK, 
b'Mr/ERSIT;  07  G;a.IFOR:iIA, 
3ERICELEY . 


1 


Course  ?3  Pago  2 

TOllATOES.  t'ELONS. 

To:^T3i3es:        Early  'Tj story.        The   tor.iato   or  lovp.   apple   originated 
in  Peru,   ani  '73  3   first  -.aniGd    by  bot--.nists   xn   ihe  16th   century.        It  n-as  not, 
ho'c.ver,   until  t'-e   17th  ce.iturv  th.^t  this  vegetable  was   in  use.        Before 
thi-^  time   it  -'as   ccnsi'iere'i  to   be   quite  a   poisonous  plant,  v/hich  prooablv 
accounts   for   its  •"ery   slow  prop;r3sc   in  becoini/ir   popular,    for   it  v^-as   not 
un-!il  1812  that   it  v;as   quoted   in  the  /uierican  r.^arket-:  ,  and  the   sced^'inen 
first   be^^an  to  sell   seed   in   1318.        After   1635,   the  demand   increased  rapid- 
ly until   at  tr.2   p-esent   ti-^ie  the  tomo.to   is  conri-i&red  to   be   one   of  the  nost 
healthful  vegetables   nro'-m.        California  hao   lon^  been  reg:  rdod   as  being  os- 
pecially   favorable    for  the  production   of  t'lis  vegetable,   both  as  a   fresh 
vegetable,   and  as  a   canned   product-        Durinr  1906  there  '.vera   over  a  r.illxon 
cases   of  to.Tistoes   packed   in  this   State,  "vhich  rjade   Califor-.ia  rank  third 
in  the  United   States   for  the  ar.'Ount    of   canned  tomatoes    pronuced.        In   1907 
California  stoo-    second  '7ith  a  pack   of   1,234,000.        During  tne   season   of 
1913,  there  '-'ere    1,490,000  cases   ^jo-rn  and   packed   in  this   Gta.-ce.        AGide 
frov.i  the   production   of  tomatoeo    for  the   cannery,   there   is   a   lai  .^e   acreare 
de--otsd  to  the  raising   of    fresh  tomatoes   for  the   narket  ;   the  average   plant- 
ing in  Califor.'iia   for  Eastern   shipments   alone   amounts   to  about   2000  acres 
per  year  ,  ^i/hile  there  are   several   hundred   acres   gro-vn  in  addition   for  the 
production   of  tor.-iaxces   for  the  local   narkets.        This  vegetable   is   gro-'n  in 
a  lar,q;e  nuraber   oi    counties  throughout   the   State,  but  the  center   of  "che   in- 
dustry  is   located   in   Lcs   Anr.eles  ,   Orange  and  Alatneca   Counties  and  through- 


Course   33  Pagie   3  Lesson  8 

out  -the   entire   lencrth   of  the   Sacramejnto  and  Sen  Joaquir.  Valleys- 

Yieli? .     When   pro'^-lnr.  this   crop   ^or  the   cannery,   yielis   of  15 
an-i   3C  an'i    cccasionally   25  tOiis   per  acre  are   ofcen   secured.        Of  the 
10,000  acres  •,vhi:;h  are   yearly  gro'-"n   for  the   canning  industry  in  this 
Stfte  ,  the  average  production  is  bet'^een  3  and  10  ton?  par  acre.       V/hen 
producing  this   crop   fc-  the  rnarket  a  grc/er  v.'ho  is   raiding  this   crop  ynd^r 
proper  conditions   sliould  expect   fron  5  to  S  ton?  per  acre  and  occa5.ion- 
ally  as  hieh  a-    frora  10  to   15  tons  are   obtained. 

Cost    of   rr3duction  and   Prices  Received.        The   cost   of  produc- 
ing one  acre   of  tcrr;atoe"  '^ili  vary   fron   ';25  to    ;45  per  a:re,  ndth  the 
average  co-st    from    '32  to    VtC  per  acre.        The  av-;rage  price   fcr  tomatoes 
v;hen   sold  to  the   canneries   varies   fro;n   )6  to   ^3  per  ton,  vhiie  the  prices 
received  on  the  maricet   for  the  fresh  product  varies   froTi  ,;10  to  04O  per 
ton,  'vith  the  av^ra-re  price   from    'ab  to    )25  per  ton. 

Cult-.ral  R';>quire.-nRnts.        Tortiatoe?  are   f!;ro'-'n  on  soils  varying  from 
coarse   t;ravel  to  heavy  adobe.       As  a  rule,  larger  yields  aro  produced  from 
plants   f,ro'-inr:  on  soils  ^/hich  are  not   too  rich  m  plant   food,  and  ^-hich  do 
not  contain  too  i.aich  ";r.ter  ,   for  if  the  soil  is   over-abundant   in  nitrogen, 
the  grov/th  is  very  apt  to  go  to  vine  at   the  expense   of  the  yield.        In 
the  niscellaneous  vegetable   garden,  tomatoes   should   be  planted   on  thp 
Ij-rhter  class   of   soils,   especially  v-hen  producing  an  early  spring  crop. 
The   one  bfst  type   of  soil   for  tomatoes   is  p    sandy  ionrn  underlaid  at  a 
depth  of  3  to  5   feet  -vith  a^hjeavy  loam.     As  the  tomato   ic  a  very  deep      ' 


Course   33  Pnge  4  Le?i?on  6 

rooted   vegetable,   it    Is  not  adapts''    for   -hallo'-   goxls.        Thir  ,crop   ic  a 
rather  tender  vegetable,   an-i   is   injured   by  a  terperature   at  ivhich  many   of 
the   ot'-.er  ve;;et-blos    such  as   onionr;  -'ill  thrive,   ccngcquentTy  it   ■should 
not   he   i^lanted   ir.  the   -r^prrng  un-'il  ail  danger   of   frcst   is   past;    iz  "/ill 
gtanrl  t'^e   heat   nuch  better  than  cold.  .-■oil  •v'hich  i''   co  be   planted  to 

toni.-.toss  should  be  in  .^rood  condition  of  tilth  and  free  from  weods  at  the 
tine  the  plant  =5  "re  set  in  the  field,  other-i-o  it  ^r/ill  be  irr^possible  to 
attain  a   f^cod   stand   of   plc>nt-:. . 

Plaatine.      Tonatoes  are   grovn   from   so^/ing  the  seed   in   <?e.-)d   beds 
and  transij]  anting  the  -oung  plants   into  the    fisld.      The   groove  r   ehould  use   a 
hct  bed   in   .-hich  to   sow-  trie   t-eeus   during  the   e:v.rly   sprin-  months,   but    later 
can   produce   plants   by  the   use   of  a  cold   frame    or  by   planting  d>.rectly  in 
the   open.        At  the  time    of  transplanting  the   plants   shcid    oe   about;6  to   10 
inches   xn  heignt  ,    stocky  and   free    from  diceare.        "'T-ien  gro'':ring  an  early 
spring  crop  the   plants  are   usually   set    in  tht. field  at   distance?    of  6  x  6 
tr   f,  X   8   feet   auart.       v/hen   gro-dn,;  for  the   caraK-ry   or  the  mi'i-surirr.ar   crop., 
'ch.ich  'Till  rr"^.ke   a   larger  vine   gro-rth  than  the   e;.rly  plantin;^;,   7  x   6   or 
S  X   0   feet   apart   is  the  distance   u-ually  used.        During  the   early  spr:nt: 
-rhen  th-re   is  an  abv.ndcnce    of   moisture   in  the   soil,   it   i-   not   custonary   vO 
irrigate  the  plants   at  the  tiire    of   retting  them  out,   but    later  in  tne 
st'-ason   furrovs  about   4  to   5   inches   deep  should   be   uade   through  vhich  the 
'■^ater   is  rv.n ,  and  along  w'-icii  the   plan+s    shotild  bo   set. 


Course  S3  Pa^-e  5  ues'son  3 

Irripatj  oi..,        Tne  nu^nber   cf   irrig?"^  ions  "'hinh  the   fi3l'i   shouli 
receive  'lepends  v/jioil"  upon  the   season   of    qro-ch  ana   character   of  the 
soil.        The  pla.its   shoi-ld  n=ver   be   ano'./e'i  to   «uffer   for  -ater,  and   irri- 
g'^tion   shculn   be  tii.ed   so  tsir.t   •suf '"icient   moisture  •"ill   be  present  through- 
out th?    season.      Under   ordinary  condition?  ^-rhen  spro'vin?:;  this  crop  durinfr 
t:''fc  ^-nvrr!  spring  or  summer  niont.'i?,  the  pl?.n\"   shoul''!  be   iiriga'^e'i   once   or 
t'.-ice   scon  aftar   setting  and   occa=?ionally  ur.til  the  plai.ts  have  coar^enced 
to   <3et    bloon;?.        At  this   pe-io'l  the  vines   should   net   bs   irrigs.ted   until 
after  thr   fruit    ig  about  th^j   size   of   a  wiPlnvt .      At   that   tine   one    or  two 
irrigations   "jhould   be  applif^d ,   but  vater   should  never  be  put    on  after  the 
fruzt   1-3.;  comenced  to  turn  in  color,    for  the  tcnatoec-  'vill   be  -vatery  and 
'•.'ill   not    Keep  v-ell.        The  '.'atsr   is   generr'lly  applied  in   furro--s  nade  be- 
tween the   ro<-'s   of   plant.3  near   enough  to  thei.;  <;c  that  the   rooty  -ill   <Tet  tiie 
benefit    of  x'.-e  irrigation,   but   not    so   noar  th:i.t  the   plants  T-iil   have  the 
roots   cut    off  in  msil^inr  '^he   fuiro'/s. 

Cul^ivrOtion  an-',   harvest  inc.        The   cultivation   should   be  continued 
t'-^rouf;hout  the   searon  until   the  vines   have  nearly  covered  the   ground.        The 
exfct  tine  and  r;:3nAer   of  harvestinr  depends   largely  upon  the  r,iarket7,   to 
'"hich  tho  crop  is   to  be   shipped,  Touiatoes  that  are  to   be    shipped  to   lonj: 

distance  rarkezv  are  usually  picked    just   as  they  are  turning  red   in  color, 
v;n>le  those  used    for   looal   consumption  are   usually  colored    fairly   highly 
bn;oro   pincinp.  ITnen  gro'-'iar  xhe  early   spring  crop,  tomatoes  are   generally 

harvested   i.  liitle   sooner   ir.  their   gro'vth  then  "!hen  thry  are   gro'^n   for   the 
nid-sumnicr   or    *"all   crop.        To.iatoes  to   bf   uoed   for   local   cannerie?  are   usually 


Course   33  Page  6  Le^soi}  9. 

not   picks'I  liitil  i'<\ey  F-.re   fairly   ripe.        On  ac-^ount    of   the   structure   of   fnis 
vegetable  it   ig  absolutely   es'^ential  that  tiiey  are  haiviled  in  a  very  careful 
nanner,    for  •"Viey  are  --ery   easily  bruised  aid   every  bruise  means  a  rot    in  a 
fe^  dgy?.        Tomatoes  ■vhi'.-.h  are    rrc-n   for  the   canneries  '^.re   placed   in  boxes 
hol'iinR   froni  35  to   50  tour.1-i  .   hc,ulf1   -lirt-ctly  to  the  car  a.Kl    shipped   to  the 
csiinery.       vjhen  harvs-.tet   for  locnl    frcgh  markets  the   ;rcp  is  usually  plac^nd 
in    luq,   Do;:fis    or  crates  and    -•ipul?')   dirr-ctly  to   the  market.        Tor.iatoc<;   for 
Icncr  -iietar-ce   shipmen-ns  -si.ould  be  handle^i   extremely  carefully,  a-id  are 
p:e.i?rally  plpced   in   lug  boxris  ,   hauled  to  tne   packing  house   in  -.-aFcns  'jr.icn 
hav-;    sprii-ps   on  thcr;,   or  jn  '"yich  -    layer   of   stra^"'  has   been  laid  to  prevent 
unnecesfjary   jsrrin^.        At   the   packin-;  hous"  thu?e  are   repacked   into  crates, 
wrapping  each  toir:&';o  in  ■^.is5ue   paper,  aa'-i  beinr-  careful  th^^t   the  crates   are 
pa-^ked  tif^htly,   and   only  tho^;e   of   f;ood   quality    sbipped.      TV.oso  ^7'\icn  are 
unfit    for  long,  distance   shipn.ynts  are   g9ne---ally   oold  to   locr.l  canneries. 

'''arieties.        Of  thj  large  nurbsr  of  vrrieties   of  tci-.i"to"-3  ,  there 
are  cor.-.p'.retiv-iily   fe"'  which  are   grown   in  tni-3   State  to  any  extent.      Th»  r'O-i, 
popular   a.'d  best   v^.ri'-^ty   fo'-  canning,   anri   for  th=^  rrarket   is  the    "gt  ore'^. 
Thi'i   is   a  lavgs  ,  "-^.11 --shaped  ,   nighly   color of^   tcmato,  au'^.  is  the   general 
favorite    on  the  rnrket.        It    i= ,   ho-'/ever,  £■   little    slow  in  riaturing  ai-:d 
shoi'ld   noi    oe  used   for  early   sprint;   crops.        The   Trophy  is   gro-'n  principai-y 
thrcu^hout  t;-.e   Can  Francis'-.o  Bay  region   for   earning  purposes.      The  vine  is 
a  vigorous   grc-'er  and  haavy  bearer,   but  the    fruit    is  too   rough   for  r:i-:rketin5 
end   not   a?.   ?:cod  a   keeper  a^s  the   otone.        The    'iparks  '   Far  liana  variety  is 
on?  ••"hich   is   ccrwonlv   ust-d    for  the   early   sprin-   crop.         iiiis    is  a   ^r.al^ 


Course   33  Page   7  Le'^-ion   ?i 

tomato,   not  an  esp'^cialiy   good   keeper,  though   it    is   strongiy   ieconraended 
tor  the  pur-Jose   for  '-.'hicii  it   is   p:ro--n.        The  Efrl"^  Lt;  -.ngeles  variety  is 
one  v/'iich  is   beccmng  quite   popular,   and  recernbleo  the  larliana  in  p.ppear- 

&nce.        This   is   an  early   maturinp;  variety,   ani    one   •^'hich   should   prove 

adaptei  to  xhe   gro-.ver   for  tne   early   srrine  crop, 

Eg.ir:p:ng   off.      This   is  a  disease  v-hich   is  coT.r.io_ily   fcun'^.    -/hen  raising 
tcnatoes   in  xhe   early  spring;.      Tt   r.ppears   only  in  the   seed   beds  '^here   it 
kills  the  plants   rather  pror>iscuously  throii.>;hout  the   bees.      It   i3   cau?ed  " 

by   several  different   fun^ii  vhich   gain   sntrance  to  the   stem  an--',  root   near 
to  the   surface    of  -^he   soil,   ?nd  kills  tne   plants   i?  a  very   short   titie.      Thi 
co.itrol   is  mors   preventive,  than  curative,   for  after  a  bjd  has   once   becorif 
infecxed  ,   it   is  very   hari   to   stop  the   ravages    of  this  disease.        The   prc-er 
should   raise  his   plants   in  g'ii^^i  a  ranner  ttr't  they   '^I'ill   ha-e  plenty   of  ^-en- 
tilation,   avoid   over-crovKling ,  and  v/atei;  when  possible,   durin;-  the  uiorn- 
ings    of  pleasant   days,   so  that   the   surface    of  xhe   soil  ar.d  tops   of  xh.e   plants 
'■/ill    dry   off  bei  ore  ni^ht.        Spray  the   oed  -ith  Bordeaux  I  ixture   u?ing    ' 
4   pounds   limr- ,  4  pounds  blue   stone    (copper   sulfate)   and   50  palloas    of    .-ater. 

Failure   to   Set   Fruits.        It    is   very  c  ojin.only  found   that  v/l-dle  the 
vinee   set  a  heavy  crop  of   blossoms,   rnany   of   th'<r,i   fail   at    a'^out   the  tire   i  he 
to;r.ntof'S   f^hould   te   forrring.        This  is   brouq;ht   about   chiefly  by  the   cli.i^tic 
conditions,   -juch  as   rr.in ,   cold   or  heavy   fog,   extrer^s  dry  hot  wiatj-.er   or  in 
fr-ct   any  v/eathor   conditions  '-'hich  '-ould   pre'/ent   the   pro-oer   sc'i.tteri-ig  of   the 


Couroe  33  Page  8  Lesson  3 

polleu  aad   consequent   proper   f Pitilization.        Irrigation  at  the  time   the 
bloc.Tis  are   setting  is   often  responsible    for  this  con-iition,   or   if  the 
growth   of  the  plant   ig   .^oinf^;  to  vine   insteai   of    fruit  ,   due  to   over- 
richness   of  the   soil.        '^or  th-^;  cont"ol  the   gro';er   should    lin'.   out-   if 
possible,  -hich   of  tht;    fore,_;oi-ut  conditions   is   responsible   for  the    failure 
of   the   fruit   to   set   and  re-ned;/   it   as    best   he   can. 

Late   or  '/inter  Blight.      .T^.en  growing  ton^?.tces  during  the  rainy   eeaccn 
the   grc'-rer   frequently  loses  an  engirt   crop   from  t'-^is  disease,  unich  at- 
tacks the   leaves,   stems  and    fruit,    causing  the  appearance    c-f  black   spots. 
This   is  controlled   by   spraying  vith   Bordea'^  !lixture  ,   usinf:  5  pounds   of 
blue    stone  and   6   pounds   of   lime  to   50   gallons   of  '--ater,        '^hi'^   should 
be   applied  innediately  after  the    first   appearance   of  th.c  disease,    for 
■'hen   it   has   beco~ie  estaolis'^el   it    is   impossible  to   overccine   its   ravages. 

R^ELONS 

Under  this   heading  is   included   Ganteloupes  ,  iiustoelons   and  V.'ater- 
laeions,  as  the  preparation   of  the   ground,  care    of   plants,   etc.,   is   quite 
sinilar   for  ?.ll , 

Enrly  Hist  or-  a-id   Importance   in  California.        ;  Melons   have   been  in  uso 
since   prt;hi-;toric  times,   aiid   altnou^h  there   is   quite-  a  difference   of    opi:'^- 
ion  as  to  the   exact    location   of   their   origin,  they  are   found  groT/in"  in 
Atrico   and  India,   and   probably   one    of  these   countries   is  the   original 
horrie.        v'ater  r.irtlons   especially  v.-ere   grcvm  quite   extensively   in   southern 
Itoly,   and   in  fact   in  a  number   of   other  countries  borderijig  the  I'editer- 
ranean   Sea.        Eelons   are   found    growing  extensively  all   o"'er  tV.;  v.-orld  „   and 


Cource   33  Fage   9  Lesson  S 

e'speciallA'-  in  the  IVii+ed   St'^te'?. 

California    ht.g   long  been  regarded   as  an   idsal   location   icr  grov-ing 
the  melon,   due   largely  to  the  hot    su'Tiner':   ard   the  favorable   snil   and 
r;ioisture   conditio.i".        In   19C3  California   led   all   otr^er   rtjte-j   ir.  the 
production   o^   muskr.f.lon': ,   t'.ierc  beint^  gro";:i  that    season  about   5784   acrec, 
v;hile  th-3   yearly  prcducticn   cf  v,-.?ter!riclors   in   "al^fornia  would   probably 
ar.ount   to   several  thov'sand   acreo-      The  ter'-n  KuskTielou  and  Centeloupe   is 
used   in  California   interchaiii.-'eably ,   but   Professor  'ickscn  states  that  the 
'term  Canteloupe   is   given  the   pr^ferencs.        The    ler.ding  nelon   sections   of 
Californi?   are    found   throut^hout   t^e    San  Joaquin  ''''alley   'Lct'-veen  tiie   towns 
of  Todcsto  and   "re^jno,   eope-ciallv   in  thu  vicinity   cf  Turlo-;k.        In  the 
Ga-ra-ento  '''^alley,   T.odi,    "tocktcn  and   Sacramento  are   large   prjdu;ing, 
centers,  snd  a   larr-e   percenta?,o   of  the  r^elons   usei   in  the  northern   and 
csntral  pcrt_on   of  California  are    -rrovrn   5.n  these  districts.        In  the   South- 
ern pD.rt   of   th3   S+at3  the   chief   center   of  the   iv.elon  production  ij   situated 
in  lTr,pfrj.al  Valley  and  certain   parts   of  Los  Angeles   and   Crar.ge   Counties. 
In  many   ot'n^r   T)arto   of  t':-.e   State   a  considerablp  anount    of   nelons  a.rp'  pro- 
duced,  b\'.t  t!ie  acreage   devoted  to  tliese   crops   is  very  sr.:all  con:Dured  '-ith 
thb   foref^oinc?. 

Yield",   Host   of  production   and   Prices  Recslved.        The  yields  n'hich  "ire 
re- li-.ed    fron  raisin,^  melons  varies   considerably   fron   one   seaaon  tc   another, 
a-d   fror.-.   one   locality  to  another.        The  avera.-e   yield    for  v/ater   melons 
v-trie-;   fro^n  1000  to   l."00  average   sized   melons   per   acre.        The   avcra~e   cost 
of  groving  nelons  under  California   conditions   is   estimated  to  be   fron  .)25 


Course   33 


Page  10  Lesson  3 


to   !'^40  pvjr  acre,   and   tfe   avera<^,e   crop  returns   vary   from   ■,■15  to   $200  per 
acre,   fiependint;  larrr.el^;  upo-i  the   season  in  nhick  the  crop   is   maturing. 

Cultural   Roqviremertr. .   The   cultural  reqvironents   for  melons   ic  not 
as  exacting  rg   for  sore   other  vegetables,  although  they  '"ill  ;-ot  do  veil 
unless  they  are   prcrn   under  th^.   ri<?ht   clim^rtic  ,    soil   s-id  moistvre   cor.di- 
tions.        Ih-?   coil  best   a-iaxce-i   for  melons   is    one    of   a  sr-.n-iyy loan  nature 
^7hich  ';7ill   hold   !r,oistin-c3  '.=.'ell.  .      If   the   soil    is  too  heavy  xhe   j^rov.rth  is 
apt  to  c;o  to  viiie  at  the  expense   of   the  crop,  v/hereas  ,   if  it   is   of  too 
open  a   character   it  v/ill   be   (-lifficult   to  retain  a   sufficienx  amount   of 
moisture   for  the   proper  development.        Soils  ivhich  are  too  rich   in   nitro- 
gen sncul*-;.   be  avoided,   as  the  vine   groirth  v;ill   be   luxuriant,  and  the 
yield   sirall.        V/hiie   melons  do  not   require  as  r-uch   scil   or  at.nospheric 
moist ur,   as    sc-nc   of    ohe    cth^r  vegetables,  there   should    oe   a   sufficient 
amount   in  the    scil  to   produce  a  good  vine   gro-.rth.        If  the  ai-ount    of   s*!!! 
moisture   is  abundant,  this   crop  does   better  where  tho  atniosphere   is  hot 
and  dry.        This   is   one    o"?  the  most    susceptible,   crops  to   Io-t  degrees   cf 
tenperature,  and   shon.ld   not   be   grown  un^il  the  v/eather  has   become   vyarrr, , 
for  the  vinos  are   ea:ily   iiiured   by  the  cold.        The   preparation   of  the 
soil    should  ts   such    ohat   at   the  ttnie    of   seeding  it    is   free    from  weed   grG-;-'th 
and  has  a   fine  r.iulch   on  the   surface.        Soil  v;hich   is  to   be  used    for   gro-xng 
irselonr,   especially  ^^hiere   irrigation   is   net  used,    should   be  deeply   plov;ed   :in 
the   Fall  and  ^vtll  '.vorhed   in  the    spring   just   previous  to  planting. 

Planting.  The  proper   distance  at  "vhjch  th:e   hill??   should   be   locn-.ed 

depends   largely  upon  th?  character   of  the   soil  and   the  vater   supply.      The 


Course  33  Page  11  Lessen  8 

average   'distance  bet-veen  the   hills    for  ■•■•ater.Tielons  varies   fror.!  8  to  12 
feet   iipart ,   Y.vx  '?here   canteloupes    or  muski'nclons   are  to   be   grown,  thece 
"iifitance?   c??n  be   reiuce'l  to  6  x   8   or   B  x  8   feet.        The  planting   should 
not   be   dene  until  the   soil  hag  'varrr.ei   up  considerably   ir.  the   sprint^  and 
until  t'-.e  ■ian?;er   of   frosts   is   past.        It   is   often  dosirable  to  .lake  t-o 
plr'r.tinr.s  ,   r-bont  tvo  n-eeks  apT.rt.        'Yhe  bulk   of  the  nelons  are   planted 
l;et-ecn  larch  and   June   Inclusive,   and   un'-Ier   ordinary   cor.'^ition?  April   and 
l-'a^/  are  the  nost    favorable  r-onths.        It   has    been   sho?'n  by   experience  that 
there   is   very   little  to  be  gained   by  plant  in.-;!:  too   early  in  the    season, 
for  if rthe  vines  become   stunted   fro;;i  a   "^udf^en  cold   spell  ,  the  dcvelopmbnt 
of  e   crop  is   iruch  rstcrded.        It    is   i.nportc.nt   that  enough   seed    should   be 
sovn  to  alio-.-   for  rottiiip  ,   poor   2er:-iination  ,    q;;aiities,   etc.        flany  gro'vers 
SO'-.-  as  many  as   12  to  15    seeds   in  a    ad  11  ,   an'l  lat --r  thin  to  thre?    or   four 
vines.        The   seed   s':ould   be   covered  n-ith  1  to   l-j  inches    of   soil. 

Irrigation,      i'any  melons   are    7ro-.m   in  Calif  crnia  ^-ithout   irri- 
gatioii,   but  -vhtre   it   is  necessary,   the  yaxev    should   be  applied   before  the 
vine?   have  attained  their    full   ^ro-vth ,    for  at   this   --iir.e   it  v;ill   be   impossi- 
ble  to  put  the  '-ater   on   in  a   satisfactory  manner.        /'S   a   rule,   th.is   crop  is 
not   irrigated   :sore   t}-an  t'-'o   or  threu  tires   duriiif^  the   season.      .■\ftp,r  the 
i-;:elo-n3  are  maturing,  they   should  not    be   irricjate'i   under  ariy  conditj.on,    for 
by  applying  the  water   at   this   tine   the  quality   oi    the  crop  is   "Tiuch  impaired, 
and   it    is   liable   to  rot   the  T.elons.        The  coi.mon  netho''    for   applying  n'ater 
is   i/i   f-urro'-'s   along;  the   rovs   of  plants,  these   bein?;  made   by  the   plov    or 
by  one    of  tha   several   cultivator   attachments. 


Course  33  Pa^e  12  Lesson  0 

Cultivation,  The   cultivr.tion   ^houl'i   be   £?iver-   ir   •sucn  a   rr.annsr 

that   as  much  as  pcssible    of  the  noipture  is  retaizied  in  the  soil,  and 
the  vreod   ;--rc  jth  kept    in  checj:-       The  cultivating  eJiould    be   stopped  when 
ths  vines  have   oe.erun  to   cover  the   ground   for  thess   chould  not    be   disturoed. 
After  ti'ie  vints  have   .^rc-n   30  as  to   mal'.e   cul'^ivation  impossit^lo  ,    if  the 
v;eeds   are   had,    they   can   be   h^nd  pulled. 

Harveftir.g.  As   a   r-ile  ,   the  melons   should  not    be  harvustnd    until 

thev  are   nearly   rirje  ,   fcr   if  they  ars   pulled    frori  thn  vi.ies  too   soon,   t   ?ir 
keeping  qurlitie-  and  fia'^or  will  be    -jreauly   injured.        There   are   several 
method'^   of  tellir.p^  -vhsr.  a  melon  is   in  the   prop5r  condition  to  pick;   tlie   one 
in  nost   cor'Tr.on   use    i?.-   by  thuiiipinj;,  and   the  experienced   grov;er  c3.n  tell  the 
condition   of  the  mel  cn^-^    03-  the   sound  "'hich   is   produced.        -"Melons  which  ars 
to  be   shit)ped   a   ccnsideraVle   distaace   should   not   be  a^.   nearly  natured   as 
those  "fhi^h   ''.re  to   be   us3d   in   the   local   markets.        The   muskir.elon  and 
can^eloupe   are    generally   sol'^   in  crates  '7'nile   the  v/ater. Tie  Ions   are   sold 
loose. 

Vrrieties  .  Of   xhe   n.any  varieties    of  v/atcrmelons  v/hich  are 

found  in  the  rnxte-i   Scptes   comp?.ratively   fe""  are   gro-vn  in   "slifornia.      In 
the   southern  part    of  tr.e    stste,  the   C;:ilj.?n  r.nd   Anj;;eleno  are  the  two  mo  Tfc 
popular  vprieti'^.s.        In  the   central   and  northern   portions,  the  KlecKley 
Zv'eet  ,   Florida   u6t  ulesnar.e  ,  Tom  Watson  and   Chilian  are  the  no^t   con-rnonly 

■^  o^'n . 

D/  serse". .      The  niost   serious    diseases   'vhich  the  ".-atsr  melon   gro-v- 
ers  have  to   vontend  '-'ith  is  the  '?/ilt.      T'-is   is  characterized   by  the   dying 
of  the  vines    soon  aft<^r  t]\ey  begin  to   grcv  their  runners  up  to  and   iuciudinp; 


Course   33  Page   13  Lesson  8 

the  time  at  v;hich  xhe  rr^sions  are  ripenin<-.      This   comes    on  very  generally 
after  the  crnp  has  been   '-rorxn  for   several   consecutive  yaars   on  the    sams 
lani,   and   in  r':aay  -places   hac~  prevented   the   continuation    of  thi-c    industrj'. 
Ihis  trouble   is   due  to  a  certain   org-anisn,  called   fungus,  ".'"nich  lives   in 
the   soil   and   is   controllable   only  by  crop   rotation.        This  disease   is  not 
found   on  -:he  Ganteloupes   or   ilusla;slcns.        The   latter   crops  are  not  affected 
by  any   csrious   disease,    "out   "re   often  troubled   by  the  rrsion  aphis,  v/hich, 
durii.g  certain   seasons,   is  very  co;.-.n"on  t/irourjh  "the   Imperial  Valley. 
Several  methods    of   control   have  been  advocated,   but   as   a  rule  they  are 
very  har";  to   corabax. 


QU£S7I0Ii;s 

1.  l/hat   is   the  average   cost   of   production  and   yield   in  tor.ic-toe 
California? 

2.  \fher\  and  how  should   the   plants  be   raised? 


s   in 


3.  Vrtiat   is  the  best  variety  for  the   early  spring  crop;    for  the  nain  crop, 
and  when  r,rovrinr>   for  the   canneries? 

4.  Nane   three   diseases  of  the  tomato   and  the   control   of   ct-ch . 

5.  Mhen  and  hovr  should  r;elons  be   planted? 

6.  If   necessary  to   irriT-te  nelons,   v;hen  should   it  be   <ione? 


..ddrcss   all  corrpsnondcnce   to   DI^I'^^IOM  OF  AGRIGULTH^a  EDUGiriON 

UniVERSITY  OF  CaLIFOR'II/v 
Berkeley,   California. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
iJOLLEGZ   OF  AGRiCULlL'RB 

AGRICULTURAL  EX'^FRIiLE^JT  STATION 
BERKELEY 


David  P-  Bar-ro'.vs,    Prociidt-nt 
Thcr.as  Foxv/th  Hunt,   Dean 
H.   E.   Van  Morraan,   Vice-Direchor  and 
Dean  Jnivers j.tv   Farm  School 


CORREGPOnDENCE      COURSES 

I   N 
AGRICULTU      RE 


COURSE  XXXIII 
VEGETABLE  GARDENING 
By   S.    S.    Rogers 


ADDRESS  ALL  COFlRSSFONDEI^'CE   RELATIVE  TO  CORRESPONDENCE   COURSES   TO 

DIVISION  CF  AGRICULH^RAL  EDUCATIOi:, 

UNIVERSITY   OF  CLIFCRl'IA , 

BERKELEY,   CAL. 


LESSON  9 


Course   33.  P'ig<i  2.  Leason  9, 

CamBAOE        -        CAULIFLOv^K 

0abbap:3 :       Early  History  v.nd   Iinportp.ncp   in  California.     7he 
common  cabbage  is   a  native   of  tho  Western  I-^Ian'ls   of  Europe  and  the  northern 
coast    of  the  Mediterranean  Sea,      The  'iatc   of   its   cultivation   is  very  ancient, 
having  bfif-n  in  ■?;enorsl  u~£.  frcri!  ?.000  to  2500  years  E.   C-      In  California  ,  this 
crop  has   long  been  regarded  as  a  vory   imortant    onei  ,   and  as   early  as  1389  , 
8000  acres  v;ere  grov/n  near   San  Fra.ici?co  Eay.     The   cultivation  of  the  crop 
ha?  varied   sorne"rhat   from  year  to  year   depending  largely  upon  the  Eastern 
I.'arket  ,   but  the  average  annual   exportation  from  California   is   1000  carloads. 

There  are   fe'v  vegetables  v.'hir.h  are   F;rovrn  over  a  larger  part 
of  the   State  than  the  cabbage,  and  there   is   probably  not   a  county  which  does 
not   produce  cabbage  durin;--  Tonie   season   of  the  year.      The  principal   gro'7ing 
sections,   ho'vever  ,   are    found    south   of   yan  Francisco   in  the  Colma   diotrict  , 
certain  portions   of  the  Sacrarento  and   5an  Joaquin  Valleys  and   in  Orange  and 
Los  Angelas   Counties. 

Yields,  Co"t    of    Prod.uctio-i  and   prices  Received.     The  yield    of 
caobago  varies   from  5  to  <;5  tens   per  acre,  xhe   cvcrap;s   ueinp,  11  tons,     '.-her. 
growing  this   crop   under   favorable   conditions,   yieido   i'ror.i  15  to   20  tonr-   per 
acre   are   not   rnu-sual.      The   cost    of   producing  an   acre   of   cabb?ge,   net   counting 
fertilizing,   nor  the   rent    of  the   land,    is   estimated  ~c  be   between  •^¥J  and   .,"60 
per  acre,   including  crating  and   hauling.      The   price  received    for   cabbage 
varies   from  $5  to   '^^-0  per  to-i,   dept-nding  largel;-  upon  the    season   in  v/hich  it 
-.natures   and   the  r.asxern  supply.      From  Cotcber  xo  Jr.nuary,   the   prices   average 


Course  33.  Page  3-  Lesson  9. 

from  $5.  to  $8  per  ion.     Frnrn  "January  to  March  the  market  i?  very  uncertain, 
but  the  grorer  often  receives  as  high  as  02O  per  ton,  and  occasionally  from 
03O  to  $40  during  these  months.  A-s  a  rule,  the  price  paid  for  cabbage  during 
the  spring  months  varies  frora  r)10  to  02O  per  ton.  From  April  until  July  in- 
clusive ,  the  market  is  also  uncertain,  the  price  varying  from  $5.  to  $20  per 
ton. 

Cultural  Requirementg.   Cabbage  v/ill  grow  best  on  -soil  of 
a  heavy  nature  v;hich  is  rich  in  plant  food.  In  fact,  it  is  impossible  to  get 
a  soil  too  rich  for  the  cabbage.  This  crop  also  requires  considerable 
moisture,  both  atmospheric  and  in  the  soil,  and  should  have  an  abundant  supply 
throughout  its  entire  growth.  As  this  is  one  of  the  hardiest  vegetables,  it 
is  grov.'n  chiefly  during  winter. 

preparation  of  the  Soil  and  Gro'-ing  the  Plants. _  In  order  that 
a  good  crop  of  cabbage  be  realized,  the  soil  must  be  in  a  good  condition  of 
tilth  and  free  from  v;eed  grwrth,  and  plowed  from  12  to  15  inches  deep.  The 
usual  method  for  growing  cabbage  in  California  is  from  seed  which  may  be  savm 
in  the  hot  bed  or  cold  frame,  or  in  the  open  and  transplanted  when  the  plants 
have  reached  the  proper  size.   On  account  of  the  hardy  quality  of  this  crcp, 
gro'wing  the  plants  directly  in  the  open  is  in  more  general  use  than  the  hot 
bed.  During  the  cold  months  the  seed  should  be  Town  from  8  to  9  v/eeko  before 
the  desired  time  for  setting  in  the  field,  but  during  the  warmer  season  6 
^weeks  is  sufficient  time  to  allow.  The  amount  of  seed  required  to  grov  plants 
for  one  acre  depends  largely  upon  the  distance  of  planting  in  the  field  and 
germination  porter.  Four  or  five  ounces  of  seed  should  produce  enough  plants 


;Gurse   33,  Page   4.  Lesoon   9, 

:o  'oet    one  acre   in  the   field. 

plant  in  c;.      The   averapre   distance  be-ov-een    i>,G   c^abbage   plant'; 


va 


ries   from  ?.  to  2-\  f3et   in  the  rov.-     tho  I'ov-:   fi-ora  2^  to  3   feet  apart.   During 


'.he  sunmer  month?,  the  plants  aro  urvally  <;et    on  f:e  clce   cf  fv.rro^-'S  ne/ie   oy 
ore  cf    ^sveral  rv.lt ivatcv   attachnent?   or  by  the   single    plov,  an-'I  tnrough 
'■:hich  the  water  r;iay  be  run.     XPnen  f^ro-vinr  the  plants  curing  the  -/inter,  these 
furrov."v  are   not   rlvays  nceaed.     Care  r.uit   bo  taken  to  7)res3rve  a?  rriany  of  the 
small  roots  as  ocsisible   -'.n  pulliu;^  the  plrnts  a.n'^.   in  ^e'cting  the  pld:':ts  in 
the   field.      Tut  them  a  little  dee'.jpr   in  the  ground  than  they  ,^re"  in  the   seed 
led.     The   earth  around  thr-   plants   should  be   firmly  packed  and   if  thev  hs-ve 
gro^:;n  too  large,  tv^cy  shov.ld   De  trirxied  bad:  in   order  to  aid  them  in  stf.rting. 
'■'hen   !7ro-.";ing  the   crop   for  t.;p  'vintcr  narliet  ,   the   -plants   shovld   be   set    in  the 
field    fr on  July  until   September  inclusive.     Tho   July  and  A.u;;:u3l.    plantinr 
raturing  bet-'een  October  an'!   Ljcenber;  -vhile  the  Scptemher  planting  doe?  not 
generally  mature   before   FeOiuary   or   r'arch.     X!mr\   -proving  the  plants    for  the 
late   spring  market,   they   can   be   set    xn   the   field   during   ■'ovember  ,   •T.aturing  a 
crop  during  March,   April   an-^.   Fay  inclusive. 

Irriration.      L.;o'jt    of  the  cabbage   in  r.rJ.ifornia  is  produced  under 
irrigation,   f^spr-:c  Laily  \';'^.en   setting  '^he  pl-nts    cut   durinc.  the    sur.T.ier  nontn-:-. 
The  water   is   generally  applied   in   furro-'p   &  to   6   inches  'ieep  bet-;een  the   r'o^.-s 
of   pl:ints,   and   enough  r:;ater    should   b'^   put    on  at   each  irrigation   r,c  that   the 
soil   is  f-oroughly  wet  tc  a  depth  cf   from  2  to  '-   feet.     After  the  cabbage  has 
beo-un  to  nature,   it   should  not  be   irrigated,  ar    it  •■'ill   often  cause  th^  heads 


Course  53.  iagc   5.  Lesson  9. 

to   go  tc  seed,  mrking  them  unfit    for  the  market.     After  each  irrigation  the 
soil  should   be  faorovrihlv   cuit i'/Fts-'l  ,   especiPlly  when  tne   plants  are  young. 

H?.rve sting.      As   '=,11   of  the  h^aas   do  no'U   mature  at  the   same 
time,  the   fieJd   is   ,-one   over  t-vo   or  fire;   tines   during:  the    season.      During 
the  -. -inter,   cabbage  v;hich  h^.s   ija+urcd   is   r^eneraliy  held   in  the   ground    for 
several  ^-/eeks  ,  but   during  th.e   spri'ig,   especially   if  tiie  '.yeai^her  has   become 
'varm,  the   crop   should  be  harvested   irciediately   upon  .-maturing,   for   if  held    in 
the   field  too   long,   it  rill    kc  tc   seed  very  i.,ui-:kly.      Cabbage   is  ratured  --^ihen 
the   outsile  leaves   have  turned   yellc-',   'oeiy.n  to  wilt,   and  the  heads   become 
solid,     ^'ihen  groT;ing  fcr  ^  he   local  iriarket  the   heads   are   .tTGnerally  trir.;med 
closer  than  "/hen   shippiii^-  r    ccnsiderable  distance.     "iT--.en   cutting  the   crcp   for 
storage,  the  heads   sho\'.ld   be   fully  r.-ature'^ ,  and   if  the  plants  are  to  be 
stored   in  pits,   the  plant:;   sliould  Iiave  f;e   or.tside   leaves   trianed   cf-f   and 
sho'.'.id   be  pulled   up  by  the   roots.      If  they  are  to   be   rtored   in  a  barn  or 
storage  house,   they  sn'-'uid   bs  trimned  dc^vn  pretty  close,      .^s  a  rule,   storage 
is   net   used   by  the   California  cabbace    r-rove;-. 

"larketinn,      '.Vhen  grov/ing  Icrge   acreagsc    of   cabbage,  th^e  best 
method   for  irarketinr  i-^.   ir,  err  load  l--*ts  th'-ou-r'n  -Tholesale   produce  houses   or 
associations.      Cabbage  thus    ;uil ".  :iiay  be   loaded    nr.  car'-   as   dug  out    of  the    field 
or  packed  xn  cr'ites   or  sack-.      Tho  r.cst   cccimon  forr.i  of  pack'ige   in '-'hich 
cabbage  is  shipped,  is  tn.^  Los  Angf^le-   cratT,   holding  fror  150  to  li^J  pounds. 
u'':'-?r6.-is  also  a  larger  crats  '-'hich  holds   fr on  175  to  215  po-inds.      Qabtaqr.  is 
very   seldom  shipped   fror,;  ualifornia  in  barrels.      In  shipping  to  the   loc:.l 
markets  the  cabbage  i-6   of+en  shipped   in  'sacks  and  th-?  miscellaneous  vegetable 


Couroe  33.  Fare  6.  Lesson  9. 

grower  generallv  sello  his   c:.bb£.fre  £:i   it   co.Ties   ^'ron  the   field,  not   packing 
it   in  any  way. 

"prieties.      T'-.e  variety  raost   commonly  usod   for  Eastern  shipment 
when  the   plan"!,  s  r„re  matured   uurj-ng  the  winter  incnths   is  V'iningatarlt  ,   an-;   for 
the   la-^e  "'inter  anl  early  sprinr  crops   and   for  the  manufacture   of  S-.uericraut  , 
the  Early  and  Late  Flat   Dutch.     The  Early  Jerssy  '/akefield   is  another  variety 
i"hich  is  ^)op'ilar  throughout   California  as  an  early  Tiaturing  cabbage. 

Insect  Pests.     The  cabhage  wora  is   often  troublesome  v'hen  the 

crop  is  maturing  during  xl.o   spring.      The   fi.-'^t    indication   of  its  pre^-ence  is 

the  appearance   of  holes   in  the  leave",  and   later  in  the   center   of  the  heads 

which   greatly  injui-es  their   quali'cy.      These  norms  are  hatched   from  eegs   laid 

by  a  white  butterfly  vrhich  is   commonly   seen  hovering   over  cabbage   fields.     The 

worms  are   yellowish  green   in  color  and   when   fully   grown  are  a   little    over  an 

inch  in  length.     Waen  the  cabbage  is  young,  these  worms    can  be  controlled  by 

spraying  v;ith 

Paris  Green ,   1  pound 

Axr   slaked  lirne  ,   ?  pounds 

Water,   150   -r^allcns. 

After  the  cabbage  has  begun  to  he'^'.d  aud  especially  if  affeoted  by  ap"-is  .  the 

following  spray  should  be  used : - 

Blackleaf  "40'.  1  gallon 
\Tnale  Gil  Sca-o ,  4  pounds 
■Jater,  1  ,000  gallons. 

These  aaterials  should  be  pit  on  r.oon  after  the  worms  have  hatched.  The 

spraying  should  be  repeated  as  often  rs  necessary  to  hold  the  worms  in  chock, 

and  snould  oc   applied  in  such  a  mann3r  that  all  parts  of  the  plants  above  the 


s 


Course  33.  page  7.  Lcsccn  t . 

ground,  ere  tnoroughly  covered.   UsuP.lly  from  one  to  three  sprayingc  is 

sufficient. 

A^his .  Thf=,  cabbnge  aphis  or  cabbage  louse  ,  attacks  the  plant 

quite  frequently,  and  is  ouc'.i  a  common  in?ect  that  it?  description  ■;;ill  not 

be  giv^yn   here,  \7hen  the  olants  are  youns?,  these  may  be  controlled  by  using 

Kerosene  (Coal  oil)   5  gallons 
Laundry  3cap        2  pounrls 
V.'c,ter  lOG  gallons 

After  the-  plants  liave  begu;i  to  head,  if  they  are  attacked  by 

the  v/orm  as  well,  the  Blackleaf  "40''  spray  snculd  oe  applied. 

CA'.n:.irLcr.'F.F. 

Early  Hist ory .        Cauliflo-.7er  belonrrs  to  the    same  fanily  as 
the   cabbage,  c.nd  it  has  been  devploped   from  it   into  the  type  which   is  nov/ 
found.      CaulifloT/er  and   cabbage  were   i'^enticdl  during  the  early  starves   of  t^e 
dovelopnent   of  this   f a^-ily ,  and  the  caulifl ovi'cr   of  today  is  probably  the 
result   of  continucuG  variations  and  selections    fron  the   original  type.     The 
cauliflower  industry  started    on  Long  Isla^id  ,  Mew  York,   suppt^^^ed  at  that   tirnc 
to  be  the   only  S'-.-tion  adapted  to  that   industry.      As  the   returns  '-/ere  so 
favorable,  the  industry  socn  rprcad   from  there  to   other  parts   of  the  Atlantic 
Seaboard,  ^nd  to  the  VJectern  Coast.      Today  there   is   a  larre  anov.nt    of  land 
in  Crliforr.ia  devoted  to   the  culture   of  this  crop,      what  has  been  said  regard- 
ing the   culture,  yields,   returns,   q-^c.,   of  the  cabbage,  applies  also  to  the 
cPuli  flo'ver  ,  r>lthour;h   it    is   a   livtl«":  more  di;ficul"i   to   grew. 

VTnen  the   c-uliflo^'er  corrirr'=.nc3s  to  heal,  gather  t'le  leaves 


Course   33.  Page   3.  Lesson  9. 

together  and  tie   locsely   ever  the  heads;   this   greatly  fucilitates  blpnching 
and  protects  thee  from  getting  broi-m  erA  bittsr   from  the   effects   of  the  hot 
sun.     They  should   be   examined    often  t^nd  cut  •■viiile  the  head  is  close  and 
compact,   as  after  the  head   opens   it    separates  into  branches,   gets  coarse, 
tough  fibrous,   ctrcng  ilr.vored  and   consequently   o^  little  market  value. 

The   principal  varieties   gro'.vn  in  this   sxate  arc  the   "Siiov;ball"  , 
"Early  Paris"  ."nd  the  variety  v/hich  the   Italin.ns   use,   hno-'n  as   "Broccoli". 
This  latter  variety  being  comn^nly  gro'vn  in  tiie   3an  ?'ra.ncisco  Bay  region. 
The  diseases  and  insects  vhich  are  troutalesc.^e  to  this  crop  are  the    same  as 
given  for  cabbage. 

QUESTIONS 
1.        Give  the  best   climati- ,   soil  ana  'noisxure  requirements   for  the   cabbage. 
Z.       XlhaX   are  the   leadino;  varieties? 

3.  Ho'-'  are  the   cabbage  -vorras  and  aphic   controlled? 

4.  Y/here   in  the  United   States  did  the  cauliflower   industry  firtt  develope? 
Name  tv.-o  varieties   grown  in  California. 

5.  Why  is   it  nacessary,  v.'hen  gro-rxng  cauliflower,  to  tie  the   leaves   over 
the  heads?         'Jhen  shculd  the  heads  be  cut? 


Adc'rers  r.ll  correspondence  to  the  DIVI3ICII  OF 
AGRICULTURAL  ED-JCATICN  ,  U^Jr/iLRSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  EERKELIJY. 


Ui:iVEIlSITY   OF  CALIFORNIA 
COLLECT   OF  AG.ICULTUl.E 
AGuICULTUTua  EXPiZRILENT  STATION 
BERKELEY 


David  P.   Barrov/3 ,    President 
Thomas   F.   Hunt,    Dsan 
H.  E.   Van  Norman,   Vice-Director 
and  Dean  University  Farm  School 


C   0  11  il  E  G  P  0  ;:  D  E  r  G  E       CO  U  USES 

I   N 
A  G  i.  I  C  U  L  T  U  R  E 


couivSE  }cc;iii 

VEGETABLE   GiuDENIHC 

By  S.   S.  Ro-ers 

Lesson  10 


Address  all  cor:municatio;-'s  reln.ti.ve  to  the  correspordence  courises   in  Agriculture 

to 

DIVISION  OF  ASlJCULTUIvAL  EDUCATION, 
UNIVERSITY   OF  CALIFORNIA, 
BERJCELEY. 


Course  33.  Page  2.  Lesson  10, 

CELERY         -         LETTUCE 

Celery:  Early  History.  Celery  has  been- found  ^ro-.ving  wild  in  a 
lar^e  number  of  countries,  but  is  a  native  of  Southern  England,  Europe  and 
Asia,  Very  little  is  known  concerning  its  early  history,  but  it  is  thought 
not  to  have  been  cultivated  earlier  than  the  middle  ages.  Although  it  v;as 
found  grov/ing  in  its  wild  state  a  considerable  length  of  time,  it  was  not 
until  1880  that  this  vegetable  v;as  used  in  America  for  commercial  purposes, 
and  at  this  time  was  used  mostly  for  flavoring  and  garnishing.  Thousands  of 
acres  of  celery  are  grovm  at  the  present  time  in  the  United  States,  the 
principal  states  producing  this  vegetable  being  Michigan,  Florida  and  Cali- 
fornia. This  vegetable  has  been  grovm  very  extensively  in  this  State  and  the 
average  acreage  planted  varies  from  3000  to  5000  acres  per  year.  A  large 
portion  of  this  crop  is  sold  in  the  Eastern  and  middle  West  markets  at  a  time 
of  the  year  at  which  it  is  difficult  to  obtain  the  fresh  vegetable  from  the 
local  gardeners.  There  are  tv/o  main  districts  in  v/hich  celery  is  grown  in 
California.  The  oldest  and  up  to  a  short  time  ago,  the  most  important,  was 
in  Southern  California,  in  Los  Angeles  and  Orange  counties,  where  several 
thousand  acres  v/ere  annually  produced.  During  recent  years  the  center  of  the 
celery  growing  districts  has  changed  from  Southern  California  to  the  central 
part  of  the  State.  Here  it  is  grown  throughout  the  Delta  section,  which  in- 
cludes the  Islands  and  some  of  the  main  land  in  the  vicinity  of  Stockton, 
Sacramento  and  Antioch.  During  the  season  of  1914  there  was  about  three 
thousand  acres  produced  in  this  district* 


Course  33.  Pcge  3.  Lesson  10. 

Cost  of  Production,  Yields  and  Prices  Received.  The  cost 
of  producing  celery  under  California  conditions  varies  considerably,  but  it 
is  estimated  to  be  from  C-3C.0C  to  3110.00  per  acre.   Occasionally  v;hen  small 
amounts  are  grovm ,   the  cost  "dll  reach  0125. 00  an  acre.  The  yield  of  celery 
varies  frori  100  to  200  crates  per  acre,  the  average  being  about  125  to  150, 
although  many  of  the  more  experienced  growers  produce  as  high  as  160  and  more 
crates  per  acre.  The  average  gross  proceeds  from  celery  per  acre  will  vary 
from  3100.00  to  0800.00  per  acre.  IThen  growing  this  crop  under  favorable  con- 
ditions ,  one  should  reasonably  expect  from  $200.00  to  si>400.00  per  acre,  and 
occasionally  larger  returns  than  this  are  realized.  The  bulk  of  the  celery  is 
harvested  from  October  until  February  inclusive,  -vhere  it  is  shipped  to  the 
Eastern  portions  of  the  United  States.  Occasionally  there  is  a  heavy  demand 
for  celery  v/hich  is  matured  in  March,  but  this  late  market  is  rather  uncertain 
and  is  dependent  largely  upon  the  Eastern  Supply.   On  account  of  the  favorable 
climatic  conditions  found  in  this  state,  it  is  possible  in  r.'iany  sections  to 
mature  celery  during  every  month  of  the  year  ,  but  as  the  other  portions  of  the 
United  States  are  producing  this  crcp  during  the  late  summer  and  early  fall , 
the  celery  which  is  raised  during  the  spring  and  summer  is  generally  sold  in 
the  more  local  markets. 

Cultural  Requirements.   Celery  is  very  poorly  adapted  to  v;orn 
out  or  impoverished  land.   In  order  that  a  good  crop  be  grovm  the  soil  should 
be  v/ell  supplied  with  the  essential  elements  of  plant  food.  This  crop  grov/s 
on   nearly  all  types  of  soil,  but  the  peat  land  is  probably  the  best.  As  a 
rule,  the  plants  are  slow  in  starting  on  the  heavier  soil,  but  the  yield  is 


Course  33.  Page  4.  Les3on  10, 

generally  larger  and  the  celery  is  of  a  better  flavor  than  vrhen  grov;n  on 
lighter  clas'^es  of  soils.   As  the  native  home  of  celery  is  in  swarnpy  co-jjntrieS; 
this  crop  is  best  adapted  to  lov;,  marshy  lands  which  are  v;ell  supplied  ".'ith 
moisture.   Not  only  should  t;-.e  soil  moisture  be  abundr^nt  .  b".t  there  should  be 
considerable  atmospheric  moisture  as  well  ,  making  this  croTo  better  adapted  for 
growing  during  the  rainy  reason  then  at  other  times  of  the  ^--ear.   It  is  very 
important  also  that  the  climatic  conditions  should  be  favorable,  and  it  is 
impossible  to  mature  a  first  class  crop  during  the  summer  months  m  the 
warmer  sections  of  the  state  for  this  crop  is  best  adapted  to  cold  -veather. 
There  is  no  other  vegetable  v/hich  should  have  betxfr  care  caken  in  the  prepara- 
tion of  the  roil,  for  unless  the  ground  is  in  a  good  condition  of  tilth  and 
free  from  all  '^i-eed  growth,  it  T/ili  be  impossible  to  produco  a  crop  of  good 
quality.   Land  v,rhich  is  to  be  planted  to  celery  should  be  fell  plcwed  as  deep- 
ly as  possible,  and  just  a  short  time  b-3fore  seeding  the  planxs.  By  the  use 
of  the  various  farming  implements,  the  surface  snnuld  be  vvell  pulverized,  and 
there  should  be  an  abundance  of  moisture. 

Care  of  the  Plants.   Celery  is  grown  from  plant inr  seed  in  the 
seed  bed  and  transplanting  the  young  plants  "men  -they  hf-ve  attained  the  p:-opc-r 
size.   The  usual  form  of  seed  bed  is  the  open  bed  which  has  been  previously 
described.  These  bedc  are  from  4  to  6  feet  v;ide,  4  to  6  inches  high  and  as 
long  as  necessary  in  order  tc  accomodate  the  plants.   As  scon  as  the  land  has 
been  put  into  proper  condition  the  seed  bed  is  cai-efully  raked  and  pulverized 
very  finely.   The  seed  is  broadcasted  and  raked  in  immediately,  covering  them 
u'ith  from  one  quarter  to  one-half  inch  of  soil.   It  is  generally  estimated 


Course  33.  page  5.  Leseon  10. 

that  enough  plants  can  be  gvovm   in  one  acre  of  seed  bed  tc  plant  about  twenty 
acres  in  the  field.   In  order  to  produce  healthy  vigorous  plants,  lieavy 
I'/atering  is  the  rule  at  first  ,  but  as  soon  as  the  plants  have  commenced  tc 
grow,  the  quantity  is  reduced  and  it  should  never  be  allov'ed  to  stand  on  the 
surface  of  the  bed.   The  beds  are  usually  irrigated  by  running  viater  m 
furrows  between  the  beds,  allov/ing  it  to  soak  into  them  fr-G^  tiiese  ditches. 
The  time  of  seeding  varies  from  the  last  of  February  until  the  first  of  May. 
As  soon  as  the  plants  have  commenced  to  grow  so  that  they  are  crowding  each 
other,  they  shculd  be  thinned,  leaving  3  to  5  inches  between  each  plant. 

The  "/eeds  should  never  be  allov;ed  to  start,  for  if  they  do,  the 
growth  of  the  young  plants  is  seriously  affected.   The  plants  may  be  removed 
into  the  field  when  they  are  from  4  to  8  inches  in  height.   They  are  generally 
set  in  the  field  about  six  inches  apart  in  furrows  3-g-  feet  apart.  The  depth 
of  the  furrow  is  somewhat  varied,  depending  upon  the  soil  moisture  and  size  of 
the  plants,  but  the  average  depth  is  from  3  tc  5  inches.  After  the  plants 
have  been  set  out  in  the  field  ,  the  cultivator  should  be  used  often  m  order 
that  the  weeds  may  be  killed  while  f;ermineting  and  to  keep  tVie  moisture  in  the 
ground  for  the  utilization  of  the  crop.  The  exact  number  of  cultivationa  de- 
pends wholly  upon  the  local  conditions,  but  should  bs  frequent  so  that  the 
plants  are  growing  under  the  best  of  conditions.  After  the  plants  have  been 
get  in  the  field  for  about  3  v;eeks  or  a  month,  the  field  is  generally  "crowded." 
This  operation  consists  in  moving  the  earth  away  from  the  plants  so  they  will 
have  more  air  around  them  and  to  kill  what  v;eeds  have  grown  so  close  to  them 
that  it  is  impossible  to  reach  them  with  a  cultivator.  This  "cro\¥ding"  also 


Course  33.  Page  6.  Lesson  10. 

helps  to  conserve  the  noisture.  After  the  field  has  bean  thus  treated,  there 
will  be  ridges  bet'veen  the  ro";s  of  plants.  These  can  be  smoothed  dowTi  by 
the  use  oi  a  roller  v;h.en  the  plants  are  small  or  by  the  cultivator  if  they 
have  grown  so  tall  that  xhey  would  be  mashed  by  the  roller.  After  the  plants 
?.re  12  to  15  inches  tall  the  earth  between  ths  rov/s  is  drawn  up  to  them,  but 
care  should  be  taken  not  to  bank  the  earth  too  hirrh,  for  there  will  be  danger 
of  ^yeak6ning  them,  especially  if  the  v.-eather  i"^  hot.  The  object  of  this 
operation  called  "rplitting"  is  to  gradually  encourage  the  plants  to  grew  tall 
and  straight  instead  of  spreading  ou^ .   This  is  generally  repeated  tv/ice  dur- 
ing the  season,  the  second  time  just  before  banking.  This  last  '"splitting" 
aids  the  plants  in  blanching. 

As  soon  as  the  plants  have  attained  the  proper  sire  ,  they  are 
rea.dy  to  be  banked.   This  may  be  done  in  seve;ral  different  ways,  but  the 
customary  inethod  for  blanching  in  California  is  by  throwing  the  earxh  around 
the  plants  well  up  on  the  stalks.   This  should  be  done  very  carefully,  for  if 
too  much  of  the  stalks  are  covered  by  the  earth,  they  will  become  pithy  and 
the  quality  will  be  greatly  injured.   The  plants  ar'-3  generally  banked  two  or 
three  times  during  the  season.   The  last  time  the  earth  should  be  •thro'-n  as 
high  up  on   thera  as  possibls,  leaving  only  the  i(ops  shov'/ing.   Celery  which  is 
growing  during  warm  v/eather  or  in  the  peai;  soils  shoul'!  not  be  banked  as  long 
as  when  growing  during  the  winter  ,  or  wlien  the  lighter  soils  are  used.   In  the 
smaller  gardens,  celery  can  be  grown  by  transplanting  the  plants  into  sunken 
beds,  putting  the  plants  about  10  inche^^  apart  in  both  directions.   If  this 
form  of  culture  is  used,  the  celery  v;ill  be  so  thick  that  the  banking  will  be 


Course  33.  p^^^e  7.  Lesson  10. 

unnecessary,  for  the  leaves  will  protect  the  stalks  from  the  sun.   It  is 
sor.etiines  customary,  especially  for  the  smaller  grov/ers  and  v;hen  the  plants 
are  gro^/ing  during  the  summer  to  use  board?  for  blanching.   These  should  be 
placed  along  side  of  the  plants  that  have  reached  the  desired  size  to  blanch. 
The  irrigation  is  generally  done  by  running  v/ater  in  furrovs  hetv/een  the  rovrs 
of  plants. 

Harvest ing :   The  celery  is  harvested  by  cutting  the  roots  just 
below  the  3vrf?.ce  of  tho  ground.  This  can  be  done  in  several  ways.   The 
roost  common  one  is  by  the  use  of  a  knife  supported  bet^-'een  tr-o  -vheels  and 
drawn  by  tv/o  horses.  After  being  cut,  the  plants  are  pulled  im-mediately  ,  and 
the  outer  stalks  renioved ;  the  bunches  are  then  packed  in  crates  holding  from 
7  to  9  dozen  each,  and  shipped  to  the  markets. 

Varietigs .   The  most  comiTiOn  variety  for  long  distance  shipments 
is  the  •'Golden  Self  Blanching."  When  gro'vxng  for  the  local  market  the  "VJhite 
Plume",  "Giant  pascal"  and  "Green  Top"  are  conmonly  used. 

Diseases.   The  r.iost  serious  menace  to  the  celery  industry  has 
been  the  Late  Blight  (Septoria  petroselini  apii)  ,  -/hich  affects  the  stalks 
and  leaves  making  the  celery  unmarketable.  This  disease  nakes  itself  knovn 
by  the  appearance  of  saall  black  spots  en  the  plants  and  vill  increase  in 
storage  cr  during  shipment  ev-jn  more  rapidly  than  --rhen  groir/ing  in  the  field. 
This  disease  czlu   be  successfully  controlled  by  spraying  the  plants  v;ith 

Ecrdeaa-<i'ii::ture  at  the  fcllo^ving  strength: 

Blue  Stone        5  lbs. 
Lump  Lime         6  " 
V/ater  50  gallons 


Course  33.  Page  8.  Lessen  10. 

This  should  he  applied  to  the  plants  in  the  fall  as  soon  as  any  of  the 
disease  has  appeared ,  and  should  be  repeated  often  enough  to  protect  the 
surface  of  the  plants  from  infection.  Ac  a  rule,  from  1  to  3  sprayingi;  are 
all  that  ar'=;  necessary. 

Early  I-licht  (Cercospora  apii)  ,   Thi3  disease  occurs  more  or 
less  generally  thrcua;hout  the  state,  but  hae  never  cr.used  serious  results. 
It  appears  on  plants  early  ir.  the  ceason,  the  loose  outside  leaves  becoming 
infected  f ir?t  ,  soon  spreading  to  tho  inner  leaves,  but  is  never  found  on  the 
stalks.  This  disease  often  infects  plants  while  f^rovin^r  m  the  need  bed,  and 
is  characterized  by  blackened  dead  area?  on  the  leaves.   If  the  dirt'-^^e  be- 
comes serious,  spray  'vith  Bordeaax  Mixture  as  described  for  tne  Late  Blight. 

Lettuce 

Early  History.   The  first  mention  of  lettuce  being  provn 
cornmercially  vjas   made  by  writers  of  the  ssvenxh  century  A.  D.   It  was  found 
growing  ''!;ild  in  southern  Europe  and  in  several  other  countries  r/hich  have  a 
warm  climate.  From  this  '7ild  original  form  there  has  developed  the  edible 
product.  Tcda^/ ,  lettuce  !■=  gro'.»rn  in  many  countries  throughout  the  world  and 
is  one  of  the  most  popular  vegetables  throughout  the  United  States,   professor 
Corbett  has  divided  lettuoe  into  three  distinct  type's,  narjely ,  the  head, 
(round  hea.l)  cutting,  (nc.a  heading)  and  cos,  (elongated  head)  the  first  being 
by  far  the  most  popular. 

Importance  in  California.   California  is  especially  favorable 
for  QTOK'ing   t.-.is  crop  and  a  large  quantity  is  produced  during  the  ivinter  for 


Course  33  Pago  9 


Losnon  ir 


Sastern  shipments.  There  is  probably  more-  lettuce  shipped  out  of  the  state 
at  present  than  there  p.wi-  hns  lu^nn  bc-Coi-o  •-'nr!  Civm  t:->-  ^or^^n^  wh-i'"V>  if  found 
in  the  colder  sections  of  the  United  States,  the  future  outlook,  for  this  crop 
appears  to  be  very  encouraging.  Lettuce  is  grovm  quite  --widely  throughout  the 
state,  but  the  leading  centers  are  in  the  vicinity  of  Los  Angeles  and  the  San 
Francisco  Bay  districts  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Sacramento  and  Stockton. 

Yields.   The  yield  of  lettuce  varies  fron  1500  dozen  to  2500  dozen 
heads  per  acre,  with  the  average  about  2000  doren  heads. 

Cost  of  Production  and  Prices  Received .  The  cost  of  producing  an 
acre  of  head  lettuce  varies  from  ^35. 00  to  i^'SO.CO,  and  the  price  varies  from 
70  to  20(£   per  dozen;  -.vith  the  average  from  100  to  150  per  dozen  heads-   The  ; 
Fall  and  Winter  prices  are  generally  better  than  the  spring,  as  the  demand  is 
otronger  during  this  season. 

Cultural  reouirements .   Lettuce  will  do  the  best  en  rich,  well 
drained  soil,  r.enerally  of  a  lirht  nature.   If  an  early  sprin-^  crop  is  desired, 
the  best  type  of  soil  v;ouli  be  lii;;hter  than  when  the  fall  crop  is  grov;n.   It 
it  very  essential  that  the  soil  be  v;ell  supplied  with  the  necessary  food  ele- 
ments so  that  heavy  manuring  is  the  general  practice.   This  crop  also  requir-'^s 
considerable  moisture  and  does  best  where  the  soil  is  vjoll  supplied  with  water- 
Care  should  be  taken,  however,  not  to  have  the  water  standing  around  the  plants 
for  they  will  rot  very  qvickly  under  such  conditions.   In  order  that  a  r^ood 
solid  head  may  be  rrovm,   the  clitnats  should  be  cool;  consoquently  this 
vegetable  is  produced  much  more  as  a  winter  crop  than  in  the  sumr.Ter, 
especially  throuf^jh  the  interior  valleys  of  the  state-   The  main  section 


Course  33.  Pago  10.  Lesson  10. 

for  the  prcJuction  cf  Isttuca  -iuring  the  i-rinter   i?  tne  coast,  and  after  the 
fir'pt    01    June,  the   t-e'ieral    supply  ccrae?-    from  this   district.      The   -3  011   shoul^i 
be  very  care;'v.lly   .jrepRred   for  thi?  crop,  and  it   is  a  general  custc:n  to  plov; 
ur-ior   frorri  15  to  25  tens    of  •.-.anv.re  per  acre  a   jhcrt  tir.c  before  plantin!^. 
Car"  rnv.st   be  talten ,   hov-e-'er  ,   t:   rp.ve  tl-fi   r.';anv.re   co:-.pletely  rottei  beforo  the 
plant'?   are   set   in  zhe    f isld ;    other-isr  ,   it  'vill   be   difficult  to   start  them, 
'/^.ile   lettuce  may  be   srovni  under   flat    cultivption,  tbe   inost    success    is   obtained 
by  the  use   of  the   rai-;ed  beds,  as  described  in  a  previous   lessen. 

'rhe  adv?.ntas;e  th;it  this  form  of  culture  has  cvsr  the  ordinary 
culture,  is  ths.t  the  slants  v:av  be  irri3;!::-ted  in  such  a  manner  that  the  heads 
are  not    covered  'vith  •••ut^r   a-^i  -.-/ould  be   z'r.t    ce.se   if   sur.ker.   bods  v.'ere   used. 

Time  and   .vjpnncr   of   Plant inp.      Lottuce   luay  bs   grov.-n  either  by 
nlanting  the   seed   directly   in  the    field   or  >■  transplantinr:  the   plants   from 
the   seed  '"hi-:h  ••?.-   sc"/n  in  the   seed  beds,      -ihsrc   a  la.-ge  he.'.d   is  desired,  the 
latter   is  by   far  th.e  uost   preferable   and   is  the   most   coni::joniy  usci .      "eed 
shoul  I  t-3   so'^T.  eitner   in  the  hot  bed,   cold   frav.'e   or   in  the   open,  about  a  nionth 
to   six  v/eeks  befor--   the  time   for   setting  in  the    field,   and   it   is   generally 
estimated  that  t'-,ree  to   foui-   pounds   of    3Ped  will   cT;ro-r  a   su'-iicient   nurber   of 
p?.  ant^j   for   one   acre.      The   usual  distanc?   for   setting  plant:;   in  the    field   is 
about   18   inchies  aucn-t  ,  -.vhere   the   large  variety,    such  as  Los  Angeles,   is   gr  cv/n  , 
and   12   inches  -/hen   vTrom'inp-  a   si.ialler  variety.      In  transplanting  the   plants, 
care   should  be  taken  to  renove   theT.:  in  such  a  mam-er   from  tlT:   seed   bed   so 
that   as   i-nrmy   of   the   s~all   roots  as   possiblr;  may  be   retained  and   the   plants 
shoul'^i-   be  ^■;ell   covered   until   setting  in  the    fi^id.      If  -^-hey  have   grown  too  tail  . 


Course  33.  -  page  11.  Lecscu  10. 

the  tops  of  the  leaves  should  be  cut  off  and  they  should  be  planted  a  little 
deeper  in  the  field  than  they  -were  growing  in  the  -^eeH  bed. 

Unless  the  soil  is  v;eil  supplied  v;ith  water  ,  f-ie  3'oung  plants 
should  bs  irrigated  as  soon  as  possible  after  setting  out  and  it  w:.  11  ain 
materially  if  they  can  be  sprinkled.   The  exact  number  of  tiiiies  v;hich  the 
field  should  be  irrigated,  depends  v/holly  upon  the  local  conditions.  Gener- 
ally ^men   growing  the  crop  during  the  winter  ,  one  or  tvo  irrigations  will  be 
all  that  are  necessary,  and  during  some  seasons,  no  irrigation  is  needed, 
"/here  irrigation  is  practiced,  care  nuct  be  taken  to  have  an  adequate  amount 
of  moisture  in  the  soil  continually,  for  if  the  plants  are  allGv;ed  to  suffer 
from  drought,  their  growt]-.  will  be  checked  and  their  qualify  injured.  V.'hen 
growing  this  crop  in  the  spring,  the  care  should  be  such  that  the  plants  will 
mature  as  quickly  a",  possible,  for  during  the  war.Ti  v/eather  the  plants  will 
quickly  go  to  seed,  which  renders  them  unfit  for  market.   The  cultivation 
of  lettuce  should  be  such  that  all  the  weed  growth  is  checked  and  a  mulch  is 
formed  on  the  surface.  As  a  rule,  unless  the  r-eeds  are  very  bad,  hoeing  the 
field  once  or  twice  during  the  season  v.'ill  be  sufficient  ,  especially  if  raised 
beds  are  used.   If  the  sunken  bed  or  flat  culture  is  used,  cultivation  '-/ill  be 
found  niore  necessary,  and  the  field  should  be  well  cultivated  after  each  rain 
or  irrigation. 

Harvesting.   It  is  very  important  in  order  that  a  good  quality 
of  lettuce  should  bo  obtained,  that  the  plants  should  be  fully  matured  before 
harvesting.  This  c^n  be  determined  by  feeling  of  the  head;  at  the  time  of 
maturing  it  should  be  firm,  the  outer  leaves  will  often  commence  to  turn 


Course  33.  Paee  12.  Les-on  10. 

yellow  and  (iio  ,  and  thr  top  of  the  head  v/ill  oftentimes  become  a  grayish 
color,  due  to  drying  of  the  outer  leaves.  For  the  local  markets  it  may  be 
carried  loo63  in  a  viczon   or  packed  in  crates.  For  long  distance  shipments, 
the  crates  are  the  only  method  used  in  packing.   The  ccrnmon  lettuce  crate 
holds  betvveen  three  and  five  do-en  heads  :^nd   weighs  from  forty  to  sixty  pounds 
'■.'hen  filled.  Lettuce  may  be  sold  either  by  the  crate  or  by  the  dozen.  After 
these  crates  are  iirmly  packed,  and  nailed,  they  should  be  hauled  ?s  soon  as 
possible  to  the  peeking  house,  3toro  or  market.   It  is  generally  customary 
to  pull  off  the  outer  leaves  and  the  neads  should  be  cut  near  the  surface  of 
the  ground,  leaving  a  little  of  th-;  s~em  on  the  head,  v^hich  helps  to  hold  the 
head  solid  and  prevents  withering.  For  long  shipments  ,  iced  cars  are 
;;enerally  used,  and  often  it  is  desirable  to  sprinkle  ico  over  the  crates, 
for  this  is  a  difficult  vegetable  to  ship  and  have  it  reach  the  markets  in 
pood  shape,  for  if  the  heads  are  not  fully  matured  and  packed  carefully, 
they  v/ill  rot  very  quickly. 

Vrristieg.    There  are  four  varieties  of  lettuce  i-;hich  are 
most  commonly  grci-m  in  California.  Hamely ,  California  Cream  Butter.  Black 
Seeded  Simpson,  Hanson  and  the  Nev;  York  Market  or  Los  Angeles.  The  last 
variety,  namely,  the  Los  /.ngeles,  is  the  most  commonly  gro-m ,   and  is  pre- 
ferred to  any  ot];er  variety  '-hich  is  on  the  market  at  the  present  time;  for 
the  market  demands  larp;e  solid  heads  and  this  variety  comes  nearer  than  any 
nther  to  the  requirement. 

There  are  no  diseases  rior  insects  v/hich  are  a  detriment  to 
the  industry  in  this  state. 


Course  33.  Page  13.  Lee j^ on  IC, 

QUESTIONS 

1.  Where  are   the  leading  celery   gro-.-ing  districts   in   California 
located? 

2.  Vms-t  are  the   soil   requirements-   for   celery? 

3.  V/hat    is    "crov/dincr"  ,    "splitting",    "blanching"? 
Ho'v  and  why   ia   each  dene? 

4.  7/hat   are   the  desired   soil,   rrioisture   and   cliitiatic    conditions   for 
the   cultivation   of   lettuce? 

5.  Hov;   it   lettuce  jjlanted   in  the   field? 

6.  yhat   are   the   leading  varieties   of    lettuce? 

7.  Hov;   is    lettuce  packed? 

3.      Ho'v  much   can   rea-onably  be  raade   per  acre   from  growing  lettuce? 


Addreco  all   c  orrespc.jd'-ncc  to  the   DIVIGlCvi    CF  AGRICHLTUnAL 
EDUCATION,  UNIVERSITY  OF  CK.J.i,.:>^l&  ,  BERKELEY  ,' CALIFCRI.'IA  . 


UNIVI^RSITY   OF  UALIFOB.NIA 
COLLEOr   OF  AGRlCULTURi; 
AGRICULTURAL  EXPERIMENT  STATION 
BERKSLEY 


David     F.   Barrels,    president 
Thomas   F.   Hunt,    Dean 
H.   E.   Van  Norman,   Victj-Directrr 
and   Dean  Univ-^rsity  Farm  School 


CORRES'PONnSNCE      COURSES 
I   N 
A  G  R  I   CUU  L  T  U   R  E 


COURSK  XXXIII 

VEGETABLE  GARDENING 
BY  S.    S.   Rogers 
Lesson  11 


Address   all  conmunications   relative   to  tho   corrospondsnce   courses  to 

DIVISION  OF  ftGRI CULTURAL  EDUCaTION 

UNIVERSITY  OF   CALIFORNIA 
BERKELEY . 


Course  33.  Page  Z. 

ROOT  CR0P3   .   PEAS   .   ESAN3 

Early  Hi^toi-y.   The  original  hone  oi  the  bee".,  'vap  m  Southern 
Zurone  ,  and  it  v^ns  eepecially  abundant  in  the  Canary  Inlands.   It  is  nc^'  nidel" 
irrown  thrcugrhout  the  ivorld  and  is  especially  imyortant  in  the  Unixed  Gtater;. 
The  beet  ha?  oeen  develcpec  from  it^  original  v.-ild  st-'-xe  until  it  is  ncv;  found 
in  distinct  type^' :  t'-.e  Garden  Beot  ,  S'viso  Chird  ,  5ugar  Eeet  and  the  Ivdangel. 

In  Ca''ifor.iia  it  x-   found  in  ^i-actically  all  of  the  counties  and 
is  especially  adapted  ;c  che  conditions  found  in  the  Delta  region.   Tnere  is 
also  a  con<?id'^i-3ble  .ucrea^^e  t^rcvii  near  alj.  of  tae  larger  cixies  in  the  State 
and  there  i?  yrobably  ;iot  a  g':rden  "hich  does  not  produce  this  crop  duri.ie 
some  season  of  t-K.  year. 

Yields.   The  yiela  --'ill  vary  from  2J0  to  4'^0  sacks  per  acre  and 
under  ordinar,-  conditions  one  should  be  able  to  harvest  fro:Ti  250  to  30'J  oac.:?. 

Cost  cf  Procuction  and  Prices  Received.  The  cc3t  of  raising  en 


ne 


acre   cf  beets  T-:iil  vary  frcra   ,,25.00  to   ?.40.00.      The   prices  which  are  realiseo. 
vary  froin  35/  to   ■;0.  .50  per   sack,  the  average   price  being-   from  50/  to   $0/.      T^^e 
■nost    favorable   ser  sor.   for  the   sale   of  thi-^  crop   is  durinr;  tht    sijriag ,  and  the 
lowest    prices  are   psnerally   received  during  --he    suinner   and    fall.    Occasionally, 
tJtere   is   a  short.v.fre  during  the  •.■/inter  vhich  n-ill   enable   th.e   gro-.-.-er   to   get   yi-'^-' 

'>r  more   per   sack. 

Cvfit ur al  Re q u ii- ement s  .      This   crop   should   only  be   g.rorn   on  rich 
soil  and  tl'.e  draina-e    -:hculd    be   pr,cod.      For  the  production   cf  an  early   spriiig 


Course   33.  ?3.ge   3.  Lesso-i   ].l. 

crop,   a  lighxer  type   of   scii   is  more   desirable  than  ■vhc-n   gro'.7i.ng  ir.  midsumner. 
It    is  B.   conirron  piactice  to  manure  xhe   ground  her.vily   just   previou;   to   planti:i;. 
bvrt.  alT-C'Ting  siuficient   time  be'~ore  the  planting  so  triat  the  dressing  •vill   be 
completely  rottec'.      Under   ordinj.ry  conditions,   15  to  25  ton-;    of  .nenure  per 
acre   should  bs  used,  li 

Tbe   beet  -vill   grow  '-'ith  an   ordin&r'-  amount    oi    Toisture  and   csre 
should  be  taken  not  to  allot?  the   giound  to  l.ec^rne  too  dry  at   any  time  uTrins 
the   gro\"th.      During  the  --intsr  -vhen  rains   are   }ieavy  it  -.vilL  be   found  best  to 
ha^'e   some   system  of  drain  Ins  tne   oi'rplus  'va^^er  an-n.y   from  the   field.      This   crop 
is   considered  to  be  hardv  so  that    it   is   specially  adapted    for   proving  during 
i^inter.      It   •-ill  a?. so   st'nd   considerable  heat  ,   providing,  there   is   plenty   of 
moisture   in  the   soil,   end   in  order  to  have  the   plrnts  grow   rapidly,  the  temper- 
ature  should  be  moderate;    for  slthou^;;!.  tlie  beet   will  not   be   killed  \/it,i  ordin- 
arily  cold  •%'eaxher  ,   its   gro-.-th  '.vill   be  very  slov;.      Soil  to  be   used   for   gro^r-inf., 
beetc   should  be  rorhed  as  thcrov.p:hly  as   possible,  and   under   ordinary  conditions, 
the  raised   beds  are  advocated. 

Timo   of  plentinK-      Planting  nay  be  done   during  each  month   of 
the  year   xn  California,   but   there  are  t'.vo   seas-^ns   for  the   main  planting.      The 
first  planting  is   generally  made  as   early  as  possible   in  the  spring,  during  T,\e 
months   of   January   and  February.      These   plants  "I'ill   be   ready  to  "narvest    fron^ 
npril  until   July.      A  second   planting  is   generally  made   during  the   latter  pare 
cf   July   or  A\'.gust  ,   for  the   second   crop.      For  the   production   cf  a  vinter   crop, 
the  seed   should  be   pl;,nted   early  enough   so  that   the   plants  rrill  have  a  month   or 
so  of  warm  ''eather  in  vhich  to  groif.      There   is  also  a  limited  amount   planted 


Cov'-Je    y>? .  Page  4.  Lesson  11, 

duriiig  I'lovombGr  end  D5:eniV;er,   but   as  there   is  a   liatility   of  these   plantc 
going  tj  ^ecd   ;nvtsa<?    o'^  bulb,  they  are  generally  har-^ested  as  bu.ich  or  green 
■jeeta.      If  the   plcnt'^   Tie   c^ro-.n  throuT"  the  '/inter    or  the   early  spring  months, 
irrigation  '"ill    prohably  ;iot  he  needed;   wherpj-s  ,   if  they  are  grovm  during  f.-.e 
^urmer   for  the  r-dnter   crop,,   the   field    i=!ho\;ld   be   ir"ig?.ted   enough  to   keep  the 
beets   growing  a^   rapidly  hs    pcr^^ible.      If  they  are   provn   in  raised   bedc  ,  they 
are  hand  'voeded   ^.z  the  ti:.ie    of  thinning,   p.fter  which  nc   cultivation   ic  neceosary. 
If  the   srn;<en  bed:-,   or   t'la^   cu:.ti''axion   ic  to  be   u?::d,  the    field   should  be 
cultivated   after   each  rain   or   irri^^ation. 

K'-rve sting.,      Thi'i   -rop  can  be   harvested  'vhen  the  plants   bcco:.ie 
lar^e   enou.^h  ".c    sell   for   o'.nch  beets  and  the  most    fa.vorable   size   is   about    one 
to    t-'.'o   inches   in  dian.eter.      Each  bunch  should   contain   six   beets.   V/hen  t  ne   cro;. 
is  allo'-ed  to  mature,   it   is   generally   sold   in  sacks,   each   sack  weighing  apprcx- 
irnately  lOu  lbs.      '7hen  harvesting  the  matured  beets,  the  tops   should   be   cut    off 
about    ore-"ialf  to   o^.e   inch  abov?  the  beet  ,   before   sacking. 

Vcristias.      T'le  aost   popular  varieties    of  beets  are   Crosby's 
;i;c3;yptian  and   Grii-ason  ■:Tlobe  ,  w}:ile   the   Egyptian   Elov-d  T.ec.  Turnip  Beet   and  t>ie 
Detroit   Lark  ?ed  va-ie~ie=   are   gro'-m  to  some   extent.      There  -ore  no  diseases  nor 
insect   pests  'vhich   are   especially   severe  to  this   crop   in  California. 

CARROTS 
Sr.rl-^  History.      The   carrot    is  a  native   cf  Europe   and   has   been 
cultivated    for    over   20CC   year'-,   rnd   is   more   'generally   favored   in  Europe  than 
in  the  United   States.      This   croo  is  no-y.   regarded   as   one   of  xhe  most    important 


Co^r-se   33.  Page   5,  Le^ror.   11. 

vegetables,   yet   t'^ere   in   probably  no   garden  in  -vhich  some   land   ic  net  devoted 
to  ixs   culture,      j.n  California   it   is   found  very  7,6jisrally  grov/ing  throughout 
the   state  anc.   ir    frot  tnsre   is  niore  danger   from  an   over  production  than   from 
difficulty   in   securing  a  I'lrge   crop. 

Yields  ■      The  yield   of   csTotg  varies   from  150  to   250   sacks  per 
acre  and  about   20u   sacks   per   acre   is   regarded  as   ?   good   paying  crop.      The 
prices   r-^ceived  v-.ry   from   one-half  to  t-.-'o  and  one-half   cents  per  bunch   (e.'-ch 
bunch  co:isisting   of   six  half   gro-;n  ccrrots;    o:-   50f,'  to   $1.00  per   sack. 

Cult ur£.l  Reni.irfc .'pent s .      The   cultui-al  requirements   of   carrots  rrs 
prr.ctically  the   saae  as   for   beets,   .although  as  the    grov/ing  season   it,   longer, 
they  require   '■   longer  taire   in  '-'hich  to  mature.      They  \7ill   stand  the   cold  v/ith- 
out    injury  a  li+tlo  better  than  beets. 

Varieties.      The  Danvers   Half  Long  and  the  Long  Orange  are  the 
most   importc'.nt  variexies;   xhs   former  maturing  slightly  quicker  than  the   latter, 
although  not   prod".cing  as  nany  sacks   per  a.cr5.      There  are  no  diseases  nor 
insect   pests  Vr.ich  are  troublesone  to  xhis   crop   in  California. 

TURNIPS 


The   original   home   of  the  turnip   is   in  Europe  and  Asia  where   it 
■;/as   cultivated  a^   early  as   2500  B.    C.      Frorri  its  ^'ild    form  it   has   been  gradually 
selected  and   improved    jntil  v/e  have  the  highly   flavored  ti,u"nip   of  today.      Wliile 
this  vegetable   is  not    considered  to  be   such  r,  delicacy  as  many   others,   yet    its 
culture   is  very  'vido  anc   it    is   founa   growing  in  many   countries   of   the  -world. 
In  California,   it    i-   very  v-idely  distribu+ed  and   is   especially   comi.icn  near  the 


CoyiG^'   33.  page  6,  Lesson  i?.  . 

lar--er   ci'^^ieT.      As  the  amount    ox    lard   aviiilatle    for  xhs   pro-'luc+iori    of  -t'lis 
vegeta'^le   is  vesy  large   ir.   Calif  oi-nia ,   t>erc   is   nove   dsni^er   of   ovt;r   prodrc'cio.. 
^han  in  the    laiii'.re   of  the   ciotd  to  produce   oatlsfact  orily .      T.\e  yielQs 
obtained   frcn  turnips  are   practicilly  t'lo    sar.e  ao   fror   oeet'^;   the^'r  cultur'-.i 
requirements  rre   similar. 

V-irieties.     Tl.e  r.o-st   'popular  varieties  are    the  ?:arly  Flat  Dutch 
f-.nd   Purple  T-p  '"hite   "lobe;   the    form-jr   raatjring   slightly  quicker  than  the 
latter    so  that    it    is   reconfflendsd   iTiostl y   -^or  th?   e-'.rly   sprine.  crop,  'vliereas  the 
latter  variety   finds  mere    favor   on  the   market   and   is   frro^-n   for  tne   main  crop   in 
summer  anc'  'winter.      There  are   ■10   dasaacss  nor   insect   pests   serious  tc  this    crcp 
in  California. 

PARSNIPS 
This  vej^exable   is   grown  t-   some   extent    m  California,   but    is 
not   nearly   o<"   so  rrjuch   imiDortancs  as  the   foregoing  vegetable?  ,  mainly  due  to 
their   long  grov;ino    season  and  the  need    of   cold  weather   in   order  that   they  ::&-■ 
mature   properly.      The   cultural   -eqv.ircroents   of   parsnips   is   identical  to  the 
other   root   crop-.      The  Loi.g   Gmooth   or  Hcilov;  Crcn'n  is  the  v.--.ripty  r.ost   ccrrr.onlj 
r,ro'-m  in  Calif orni-..      There   are  no  diseases  nor   insect    posts  'vhich,   are 
especially  troublesnrrie  to  this   crop   in   California. 

PKA3 
Early  Histr'rv  .        Tne  pea  has   been  cultivated   in  Europe   and 
Asia    for  many  generations,   but   the   exact    origin  has  never   betn  decided  upon. 
At   the  present   time   it    is  widely   cultivated    ever  many  portions   of  the  United 


Jl 


Ccursa   33.  ?ag-   7.  Lesson  11, 

States   anci  "ji-.y  ^'le'il  be  rs^arc'ed   as   one    of  ti.e   important   regetablcs, 

"Epnrtp.nc?   in  California.      This  crop  is  widely  cuitivpte.f 
thrcugl  out   California,  being  especially  -nopuldr.  a'^;  an/inter   c^op.      The  r.-Sii. 
pea  produciiijj   :;fcctj.cns   are    f cunc.   ii.  the  vicinity   of  Los  Ar.j^eles  ,   5a..  Frpncisor 
Pay  a:id   thro'-gh  cs'^tain  portions   of  "he   San  Joaq-.im  and   Sacranienxc   Vcllsys. 
Jn  the   southern  part    of  the   stt.^e,   and    in  the   interior  valley-,   it    is  used 
raoGtly  a^   a  v/inter  crop,  rhile  thrcug]".o\it   the  Coast    sectioi;  ix   is    gro-va  .I'^t 
only  as   a  'ii'inter   crop,   bi'.t   as  a  suiruTier   rrcp  ai  'vq;^!. 

Yiqld.      The   yi.eld    of  peas  varie-    from  i>0  to   75   sacks   per  acre, 
the  average  beinp;  65:   a   sack  -veighinc:,   from  70  to   35  pour.ds. 

Cost   of  Prod'.-ction  and   Pric3s  P.ec3iv3d.      The  average   co-'t    of 
producing  an  acre    of  psas  "/ill  va:-y  iroa  $25.00  to  i;^40.C0   per   acre  and  tho 
prices  v/hich  a-e   rec?iv^^ri   vary   from  2/  to   9/  per  pound,  the  average  be.ing 
between   j/  and   5/,   durinj^  certain   seasons    of  the   year,  vhile  during  tne  winter 
the   gro'vers    gf'tn  received   fro.Ti  ^/  to   3/  per   pound. 

Cultural  Requir'^'inents .      Peas  do   best   upon  »   heavy  soil  ,   ^ich   in 
plant    food   and  having  a  considerable  amount    of  moisture;   and  they  are  very 
poorly  adapted  tc   com  so   s^.nd   or   gravelly   soiic.      This  crop  vfill    stand  2   luw 
degree   of  tf.itiperaturc ,   but  does  liot  do  v/ell  vvhere  t^e  cliraatc  is  hot  ivi  ciry, 
snch  as   in  tho   interior  valleys   of  the  State  during  the  riiddls   of  euD'aer  ,   When 
gro'virg  the   crop  dyring  thr    rainy  season,   the   seed   should   be   planted   in  ridges 
so  thnt   the   drainage  will  he   f>uch  that   the   surpl'.'.s  vater  '"ill   be   carried    off 
quickly.      During  th?  drier  months,  peas  are  uru&lly  gro',7r>   under   flr.t    cultivation 


Cour'se   33,  P£.gs  8.  Lessen  1.1. 

Tiii-j   o:r  pl-?nt'ng.     '"^lere  pas<?ibl&  ,   pe^^s  •;hoMlci   be   fall  piantca 
so  that   the-y  i-ill  qx+ain  their   fvll   "^rov/th  before  the  cold  '-'edther    sets   in. 
'^•he  di-tance  betv/eon  the   ro7s  varies    from  2-^  to   Sy  feet.      If   planted   in  drills. 
-ohe   seed   iP   sc'n   onp  t  c-  t'-o   .-'nches  ap?.rt .      If   planted   i-i  hiilo  ,  they  shorld  be 
2  to   2ir  feet   apart,   pl£.ntir.v^  nine  tc  12  seeds   m  a  hill.      Dvring  the  v;et  -/eather 
in  many  localities,   the  blossoL:^?  vjill   not    form,   but    if  the  vines  ere  i7ell  r.-.at-.'.re.i 
an  early  crop  -vill  be   ■secured  in  t"^e   spring       In  certain  portion-^   of  southern 
California,   it   ic.   -jos'^ible  to   rrro";  peas  i:.-hich  -/ill  mature   in  :nid -winter  and 
the  early   spring  r:ont:-!f! ;    and  -ivhers  the   conditions  are   such  tha":   a   crop  can  be 
procured  at  this   see  son   of  the  year  the   grc-err.    often  realize  a  large  profit 
per  acre.      Ther'^   is  another   general   planning  during  January,   February  ana  liarr- 
for  the   production   of   peas  during  the   spring  and   early  s-ari.acr  nonths.     \Ihen 
planted   in  the  vinxer  -lonths  ,   no   irrigat:  on  will  ,   under   ordinary   ccnditicnr.  ,   be 
necessary;    but  the   sorinc-  planting;  should   receive   one   or  niore  applications   oi 
■'■•ater.      The   cultivation   should  be   such  that  the  v/eed   grov.-th  is    kept   do^ni  aad 
there   should  be  s   mulch  niaintained  throughout  the   entire   gro'-.-th   of   the  plants. 
If  the    ground  has   been  thoroughly  cultivated   during  xne   early  part    of  xhe   rrortn 
cf  the  vi.ies,   no   c  altivaid  on  will   be  necessary  after  the  vines  have  comaenced 
to  cover  the   groviid  ,   and   in   fact    from  this  time   on,   the  vines   should  be 
disturbed  as   li"^tlc  as   possible. 

Harvesting.      Peas   are   usually  harvested   in   sacks;    each  sack 
containinjr   from  50  to   75   pounds.      The  vines   should  be   gene   over  three   or   f'-ur 
times   during  the   season. 


Course   3?,.  i'-gs   9  Lesson  11. 

v&r.T.eties.      The  Isadinf:,  v'ritty   for  f.ie  i.ai.i  c-rop  is  the 

Telephorie   ar.i   for  V,\c   early   ^ijrirp;  r.ari:3t ;  xhe   Preniuiv.  C-cn ,   .'uT,  .ri:3n  \'0;'LC.ei' 

:.nd  I>7irf   'Vgar  're   planted. 

Dlse':.?eg ..     When  -jhis  crop  is   fT'*v'n  -''uriTig  Vr.'^  ■7ir;ter   t];e 

-i'O'-'er--  are    oit  ?.n  trrv.bled  -/ith  rdlce^:?   on  tnc-  vinec.      Tnls   sho-./s   at    first 

_s  a  grs.yi-h  r-uo^tance   oa  th^   leaves  and   stems  which   spreads  very  quickly 

under   favorable  condition;   and  vill  ruin  "J'he   crf^p   in  a   short   tin^e.      Thi'3 

trouble   is   controlled  by   spraying  the  vin..3  ';!":.;■.  di-y   Gulfur  as   soon  as  the 

disease  appears  r.nd   re'>6atiri~,  a™   often   e.~  necessary   i?i   order  to  keep  it    in 

checli.      On  a   sirall   are...,  •vhi;5  can   je  applied  by  du-^ting  tlirough  an   ordinary 

."jrain  sack;   -.'hile    on  larger   areas,  a   blower  ^vill   be   found  more  sdvanta'^eous , 

An'-iiL- .      The   Aphis   or   plant   louse   is  the   cause   of   large   losses 

■  alter  t}>e  v;arn  '■»ec-th.er  has   started  and  t.iis   insect  has   prohibited  the   raising 

of" this  crop   m  certain   localities.      The   control   of  this   insect   is   rather 

difficult    rving  to  the   impossibility   of  spraying  the  vines   after  they  have 

become  raatur-^d.      This   is   con^iro-ied   by  plan->;ing  as   early  as   possible   in  the 

fall   so  th.at  the   crop  ^''ill    be  .natured  before  the   appearance   of  thi-^   insect  ,   o: 

hy  us  in;-  xhe   follo'vinc;  spray  :- 

black  Leaf  "4C"  1  Z"''-- 

vfhale   oil   soap  S  los, 

vrciter  '  1300  b^-'i="='-  '' 


This  should  be  applied  a-   soon  as  the  aphis  appears  and  put    on  m  such  a 
r.ianner  th?t  all   of  the  under   surface   of  t'e  leaves  and   stems  are  thorou?:hly 
cr/ered;    for  in  order   for  the   inge^^ts  t ->  be  killed,  the  spray  roust   con"?   m 
direct   contact  ''it^  them. 


Course  ?2  P'-L-  ^^-  Lecson  11, 

BEAICS 
'li-rlx  Hir-tor-.'-  snd   Im^iortance  in  ?alj-f ornip  .      The  bean  V:?a3 
found   orig-'naJly   i:i  Gouthpra  Asia.;    it  wa?   produced  in  Europe  at   an  early 
pcriod  e.nd  -.^a'.-    f  .u;i:"   in  A;.ier;-ca  wh-re   it  v^as   u3ed  quite   extensively   by  tre 
Tiidian-.      ^cday  tre   r-ean  i-^   very  cor-^ior.ly   fo;nd  throu~r.out   ail  the  •:jirv.'tT 
secti&.i!^    cf   t.'^-^e   ''Siitcd   'vt-its'i,   -ad  has   long  beon  regarded  as   one   of    ihe   rr-^re 
inportant  ■'e~-ta''le  ■ ,      Calif crn::.?.  prcj'.<:ce'3  an   ii-nm^nss  quantity   cf  Isar.s  ,   and 
tjiere  are   proV.ably  no  vegetable   rardenp   ir    che   state   in  -^'hi^-iii  thi-:  crop   is  nc-: 
found   auring  soine   soasor.   of  tiye  year.      There  are  t-vo  large   cla^j^ifications 
of   Dran^  ,   --ameiy  ,   busn  and  pole   beans,   both   of  Vihich  are  very  -popular  -A'ith 
the   grov/er^,-. 

y-'.fcld.      '_]•'=-  yield    c^    jrardsn  beans  varies   fron  fi:^ty   to   seventy - 
five   sauVs  yer  a^re  ,   a   ^ach  v;'pi;Thiiift  froiTi  seventy  to   eigMy-f i'^f;   pouncs. 

Jost   cf  .rrod'.-ctio.i  ai.d   Prices  Received.        The  averare   coot. 
of  produci::^    ..ne  acre   of  beans  varies    from  -.^25.00  to   05O.CO  per  acre,  and 
tb.e   price-^  ^rauy   from  2  to  10  cen-i'S  per   pound;   the  average  being  botv-een  xhrec 
and   fivo    cei'it"    prr   pound. 

Cul-cural  Roouir'-.-nents .  Tbe  cultural  requirernents  for  beans 
ore  essenti.aliy  x'-e  rarae  a-  lor  peas,  '-ii-h  the  ■exception  ^h•;.t  thi-j  crop  is 
injured   r/^uch  "lore   easily  by  tj.e  cold  tiian   is  the   former. 

"Tire    -f   nl-nitr'n?:.      The   planting  season  in  Gouthern  California 
:"^e;if.rallv  extends    fro"  Janvarv  -^c  Harch,   cni.   in  thi'   in^er3.c•/   p-:-rt    o:   'i-i'.e 
■^tatp    :rc;:i  inarch  to  ;:ay;   'sdiile   in  the   northern   sections,  the   planning  is 
often  deferred   u;^til   June.     "Beans   should  mi;   b3   planted  until  all  danger   of 


Course  ?3.  .  la^e  li.  Less  on  11, 

fi-ost   ±z   past,   anc   -.he   fTro"--er   should  -■mi'z'v.nzi.l  the   grcund   hv.s  •.•arned   up 
cor-sidsi-Eiblj-   rctnor  ■^han  plavi-ting  v/hen  th„^   soil   arJ   clirraoic   conc'.ition:-;   are 
not   Fio   favoi-abie.      If  ITne   lield    is  xo   he  cvltrva+eJ  by  hand  ^-nipleraents  ,  the 
di^.tance  bot'veen  th=  rows  ^^ari&s   froiii  2  to   3   feet  ,    Jut  -^'hcn  hor,?e  r'.rav/n 
inpler.ents  tM-e   usoa,  this   chould   be   increase:!  to   fror.  2-1  \o   3-;j  i>et.      "he 
sesd  r=:ay  t^  plarted  either   in  drxllo    cr   in  hills        If  the   forL.er  method   is 
used,  the    seed  nay  "op   sown  2  +-0   5   inch'^c  apart.      If  thu   ■second   i-.iethod   is 
used  the   hills  rray   ce   placac   rrc.-i  3  tc  2-^   feix   apart   and   -jlantinr  5  to  3 
beans  p3r  hill,      'ihs  laxtsr  niethoc-    is    o'-ten  u-^ed   in  prr-fgren:;e  to  the   lorraer  , 
as  it   en'^.bl'^'s  "^.he   gr'^v.e^  to   haiveyt  the   crop  ;.icro   roadil'/.      At   the  ti^ie    of 
planting,  the   field   j>c.;.]d  be   frse   frcrj  all  •.veed   ^rcvth,  a;.d   "va'.'e  an 
abundant    suuply  of  noistv.re  near  the   surfaiv;   -'nd  t'rxQ   ground   shcnid  be 
pulverized  as   finniy  t.s   pcT-sible. 

Harvesting-.      Eeans   are   ^enerallv   harvested   in   38.o>s,   eaoh 
sack  weigjvinf-   from  70  tc   35   pcndn,   and  are   sold   either  by  the   sack   or  by 
the  pound. 

Varieties .      For  the   early  and   late  piantin^s,  the   Golden  Wax 

and  Canaaian  Worder  vrricties  ■<-:iii  be   found  v.->,ry  desirable,  •■.'■die   for  inidsurx.i 

and   fall   crops,  the  Kentucky  'Vondtir  iS   preferaMe.        Aside   from  th3   above 

varieties,  the   lina  bean  is   often  found  in  r-.iscellancou!::  and  '•.onie  vegetable 

gardens.      The  iri-.st   coomon  v.^rieties   are  the  Lev/is  and  Daily",  which  are' 

V        I 

se?-octed  strains   of  tiie  p.'le  liira  bears.      In  Calif ornia/th^'  lii.a  :..s  adapted 


on 


ly  to  th/ hur.iid  ccstal  climates, 


Govirce  33.  i-ar.e  12.  Lesson  il. 

Discasag .      C:ir   of  the   principal  diseases  which  "the  gra7.T 
has  to  coiitsuc  ■"itz'r,  is  rrdldei",  vhi'^h  ^'rp-'ar-.   dv.ring  tl,e  iz-iny  season,   ao 
that    it    i"   trouble'^ome  mainly  to  t'r.e  v.inle.r   or   r-arly   pprin.-  crop.      This 
disease   i^  vory  ra-ily  controlled   by  covering  xhs  rinco  v.-itV   Tinely  pov/dered 
svlprui"  "/r.ich  may   oe  applied   either   by   a  blower   or  through  a  ?;i"8ii»   sac:; 
shaken   ov<?r  the   plants,      n.  s-_'CO;id   disease  wrdc'.-i  is   soris^iiirie'-'   tro jble!=cme  , 
is  the  ru~t  ,  'I'hich  appears   mainiy   on  thD  Ksntuchy  Wonder  variety  v;her. 
gro'-.'inp;  ia  t.\e   Fall.      I'.o  definite   infor:ratio-!  can  be   giver,  as  tc  the   control 
of  thii   disease,  ^ith  the   exceptio.i  of   planting  th.e  Anerican  V/onder   or 
lolden  \;a";  varistiss  ,   as  "ohey  are    ir.oiuns  to  sttt.ck?. 


QirrSTIOHS 

1.     Y.'hat   are  the   S-0...1  ,  moj.sture  and   climatic    conditions   best   s\'itcd   for 
raisinc;  beets . 


3.  V.hat    is  t;.e  r-.ost    f;-vorable   season   in  \?hich  tc  pr^^riuc^  turnips? 

4.  '.■h-t   are  tii^   soil  moisture  and   climatic   requirpraents   for  the  producticn 
of   parden  p'^.as? 

5.  Eo'v'  may  the  pea  aphis  be  controlled? 

f: .     that    is  tl;e  plant  inr  season  in  Calif  ornip    for  beans?      By  what  t'.70 

systeris  rr&y  beans  be   planted,   and  vhat   are  the  distances   reccrar.sndcd 
in   each  case? 


Address  all   c  orrespond^nde' tc  the   Dr.'ISIOI!  OF  AGr.IO'JLTjRiiZ 
EiirCiiTIOh  ,  -KP^ERSITY  OF  CALIFCRNiA  ,  BERKELEY. 


i 


UNIVEluSITY   JF  OALI^C.J'IIA  David  P.   Barrov/s,   President 

COLLEGE   OF  AGl'ilCULTUrS  Thomas   f.  Hunt,    Dean 

AGuICULTlIlAL  IlXPiu'.i ..I!.i;i:?  3TATIGI'  H.   ID.   Van  Norman,   Vice-Director 

BEuKh^LSY  and  Desin  University  Fari.i  School 


C   0  Ii  :.  E  S  ?  0  N  D  E  N  G  E        G   0  U  u  S  E  S 

I  N 
A  G  A  I  C  U  L  T  U  ..  E 


COUi^SE  7XX:iI 
\T3C-ETA3L5   G/GDENINC 
By   o »   S . 

Leo  s  or;  12 


Iti^L/Ji  fcJ 


Address  a.11  cor.nunj.catiors  relat3-ve  to  the  correspondence  coii^ses  in  A^:-ricul"iur3 

to 

DIVISION  07  AGrJCULTUIvAL  EDUCATION,  U.   of  C., 
Berkeley,  Calif orria. 


Gou-.-'T.e   ;i3.  Page  2.  Li s? con  12. 

sv-jS-  corn 

Sreot   cor-'i  firrt   gaiKsd   importancs   r'n  the  Oaroir.nas  ,   and  it 
-•-^s  rot   vatii  1325  that   its   cultivition  '■'U'3   cariiea   on  in  a  cormercial  way. 
For  twentv-five  year-;   or  inorc   its    :vlturD  vras    ;or.:inQd   ^principally  to  the 
Mci-'  }^ni:-lana   ijtstos,  but   rX   tlie  pro<?cnt   tine   :t    is   '"ound  throughout  the  ".'nited 
3tates   ",r.d  Canada  and  ii-.  one   of  thr;  most  popular  vegetables.     L.   C.   (Jcrbett  , 
in  his  book  entitle:!,  "Gr<rden  Fa r it; in q;"    states  that   80  percent    of  the   garden 
seed   corn  proauced  m  xh2  Unit£;d   State?     is   grov-n  in  !!obraska, 

Inviortance  in  California.      The   corn  in  many  part?   of  GBlifornia 
X--   oTiZ   cf  the    vt^pl:    croov   izrown  by  the  vegetable  ,i;ardenor?  and  is   found   in 
s.  large  perc-?nt^£;,e   of  th?   garden?.      The   best   district   is  throughout  tne  Coast 
^-octions   of  t""e   state.      There   is   also  another   lar;];e   acreags   grown  throughout 
th.e   Sacramentc   and   :3tocktc.n  districts  and   iu  th^  vicinity  of  Los  Angeles. 

yield.      The   yields   of   svrcet   corn  vary   froT/:  75   to  ISO   sacks   per 
acre,  the  ?v?rage  bpiug  about   100  sacks   cf   100  ears  each. 

Cost    of  Production  and   Prices  P.yceivcd.      The   cost    cf   producing 
r^n  acre    of  sr-eet   corn  varies   from   p20.00  to  v35.0O  per  acre;   the  average 
being  about   V25.GO  to   ?30,00  per  acre.      The  prices  received  vary  fron  75/  to 
32,00  per  sack;   the  avcrar?   being    ,^1.00,  b-rt    in  the   spring  The   grov;^rs 
occasionally  recei'^e  as   high  as    ,3.50  par   sack. 

Culxvral  r.equirerP3n-"-s .        In   ordir  that   a   large   crop  :nay  be 
realized,   the   soil   should,    j.-:   riC'-.   -n  the   plant   food  tlsnents  and  vrell   svpplied 
vith  moisture.      It    is   a  general   custcni  to  heavily  ranure   corn  land   previous 
to  planting,   putting  the      manure   on  it    at   the   rate-   o-^   15  to   25  tens   per  acre. 


Oov.-ve   53.  Page   3.  Lesson  12. 

Corn  is  a  v^ry  peer   crop  -^  o   i^ai'^c     .n   -oils  'joc"   in  p?u-r.nt    fooc   ar.i  deficienx   in 
noisturt.     '.''h^le   corn  •■ill   r<.and.  a  certain  dcgr'^e   of  .cool  v/iather  .   it  doc-r  best 
•7hen  thd  ciinaxii'  i-3  hot,   providin;-  t'.ui-c   is  sufficient  ^noioture   in  the  soil. 
T'-'C   "?o_I    3'-ou"'d   ''"^^    car ^.f ull-/   pr-pared   for  this   crop,   pl--:ni'inf:  dee,j  and  'vorkm;; 
it  ^'ell   so  thdt  ^he  TAroi-d    groi;th  has   bei-n  entirely  checked   and  a   good  mulch  is 
prepared. 

Time   cf^  plant in.g..      'Jor:i   should  iiot  be   planted  until  tho   cold 
'•'C-ather  has  passed,   for  the   scod  is  lirble  to  rrt  and  the  grov.'th  be  very  slov; 
if  the   soil  and  i-'eath2r  is   2old.      Ir.  order  to  raise  this  vegetable    for  the 
Gfu-ly  r.i?.rket  .   the    c:rr;  g-'.jvI-    O'j   planted   upon  rid.-^es  r'/hich  aid  the    soil   in 
■^'arriin<T.     These  ridges  r-ay  be  Ecde  by  the  use   of  the  lister   or  plow  and  should 
be   from  3  tc   ?y  feet   apart.      The  distance   bet^'reen  the   hills  vai  iee    frorr.  2  to 
2f-  feet   and  -..''•  ^   •^u.mher   ox    kernels   used,  varies    from  3  to   5   per  hill.      After 
the   corn  hes   grov.'n   fror.i  4  to   S   inches   in  hei<-ht  ,  xhe  hills   should   be  thinned, 
leaving  3  stalks  to  t-ie  hill,  and  when  it    i-.  :    icot  to  18   inches  tall   it   is 
generally  ^ono-    o^'cr  the   scgo'/-:'.  time,   and  trilnn.d  tc  t'-.-c  stalks  per   hill  and 
suckered.     Care   should  be  'taken  to  pull  these   swckers  carefully   so  that  they 
are   entir-jly  re/ioved    fron  tl'.;    stalk  and  noo   irierely  the  tops   broken   off,   for 
if   -.i-.'i.j   car...,L;.s''ly ,  the    suckers  vill   grov/  .again.      In   frcm  tvro  to  three  v/ensks  , 
the   field   should   be   gone   over  aKain,   pul'iing   off   ''.11   of  the  ne^-  suckers.      Thest, 
f^ron   frcn  belon  the   second    joint   .ind  unless  they   are   de'^:troyed ,   they  v/ill  use 
up  a  larre  part    of  th-.^  vitality  '.-nich   should   go  to  t'^e   product i.o;*   of  t"ie   oars, 
'.'•ome  gro-vers  nake  a  practice   of  goin-   ever  xreir  field    once,  at  'vhich  time 
they  thin  and   sucker,   but   fcr  the  novice,   the    field   should  be   gone   over   at 


Couroti   3d.  pcjge  4. 

least  -t'-rucc.     At  the  "uime   of  the   Icit   "suoktrire;"  ,  the  earth   3hou]d  bo  hocd 
'".losGly  around  -^'-.j    stalk';   anci   up   on  thci'Ti  a-;   high  ss   convenient,    Thi';  '-/ill   aid 
in  conserving  t}:0  ivioi'r^tu:  e  t.nd  ai^jc  lAr^sicts  the   gtalks  to   ?tancl  erect.      Fro'.r; 
nc'   on,  all   of  tha  cultural  v;ork  ms.v  te  done   oy  horse  dra^'n  iuplcm&nt^.      ±n 
;-ru--'ing  the   fiea-ly  corr;,  irrigation  ic   not  al-r^ys  neces'^sry.    but   it   is   often 
advisable  ,   for  vve,.  if  the   soil  cortains  a  f^ood   supply  of  noisturc  ,  an  extrc 
amount  '"ill  enc  ourago  a  much   quicker  p,rw/th  ,   rspcciaily  if  the  '-'oatlier  is  hot. 
For  tht:  main  crop,   it    i<;  thr.    general   custom  to  irrigate,  o.pplyinp;  the  ••7atcr  m 
the    furroii.s  rri?-dt    by  hilling  th^j   corn  anu    shcuid   be   p-.i.t   on   often   enough  sc  the 
growth  '-/ill   he   ?;t>:,ady.      Under   ordinary  conditions,   from  ontj  to  thrOw   irrigations 
^"iil   be   3uf:ri:;icnt,      After   -.ach  irrigation,  the    field    -hould   be  thoroughly 
cultivuLod,   '...-s   scon  ••.;•  the   •;:ioil   is   in  the   proper   conditioii,   except  v;he.n  the 
stalks   have  made  their   full   grov.-L'^  ,   9X  ''rhich  time   it   nr^y  be    ordtted. 

Harvesting.     When  grov/ing  the  corn  for  the   early  market  ,   it    is 
often  hjirve-'ted    oefore  it  has   fully  matured   in  order  to  get  the  henefit    of  the 
high  prices.      I:   there   is  a   l..rga  amount    of   c-rn   in  the  m'-.rket  f.nd  theprices 
are  rather  Icri ,   it   should  not   he  harvested  until  the   c'-rs  -ha'-e' fully  matured. 
T!i:.s   can  be  detennined   •:!y   examining  then,  u-hich  at   this  tir.8   should   contain 
'■;ell    formed   keenels,   and  t'\e    silk  should   be   brown   or  deod,      Th.e   cr:Sto^n&ry 
method    for   sellin;  corn   is  by  the   sack.      Each   sack  contains   from  3  to  9   dozen 
ears,  the   uverpge  nunber  bexn^   %,      For  the   locil  "'.rket '-.  .   ears  are    c:ten   sold 
by  the    dose-'i.      As   a  rule,   the  larger  the   ear,  the  better  ±\\e   corn,   so  that  the 
gro'.vcr   shcnld   endea-zor  to   get   v-s   lirgs   plur.p  ears   ae   uoesiblc,      Tha    field   is 
sensraliy  picked    over   froiii  tvo  to   five  tines   during  the-   sea?on,  deyendini.:  upcn 
ho"'  rapidly  the   ccrn  is  maturing. 


Ccur^c  32.  Prge  5.  Leoscn  13. 

Varie'',ieg.   There  are  a  larg;e  number  cf  varieties  of  sweet 
corn  in  California.,  the  choice  of  which  depends  larpely  anon  the  season  of 
the  year  a'ld  upon  the  location  of  the  gerden.   For  the  ecrly  corn,  "The 
Gcldc?.n  Banta-i'' ,  '•F;E-.--Iy  ?!innesota"  ,  ''Crosby's  Early",  and  "Early  Alaireca"  are 
corrr.only  grcwn.   Tor  the  main  crop,  "Stowell's  Evergreen",  "Late  Alameda"  or 
"r^amnoth''  ^nd  "Country  Gentleman'  are  used,  A  large  number  cf  the  more  pro- 
gressiva gardeners  sP.ve  their  own  seed  so  that  a  considerable  amount  of  corn 
is  gro'ivn  'vhich  is  a  result  of  careful  selection  and  havin;;  no  special  trade 
name.   This  custom  of  sciving  seed  is  one  which  is  strongly  advocatod  ,  for  by 
so  doing,  the  prov.'er  can  deve''-op  in  a  few  years,  a  strain  which  will  be  more 
suitable  to  his  conditions  than  can  be  found  by  using  the  ordinary  commercial 
varieties. 

Diseases  and  Insect  Pests.   There  are  no  especially  bad  diseases 
affecting  sv.-eet  corn  v/ith  the  possible  exception  of  the  smut  v;hich  occurs  only 
in  very  limited  areas  .?.nd  during  certain  seasons.   There  is,  hov;ever  ,  a  very 
troublesome  pest  v;hich  the  corn  fro^-ers  hf.ve  to  contend  v;ith,  and  which  in  many 
localities  in  California,  has  prohibited  xhe  grov/inf^  of  this  vageta.ble;  namely 
the  corn  ear  rvorra.   It  is  found  much  more  severe  in  the  interior  valleys  of 
the  state,  as  in  some  localities ,  especially  along  the  coast,  it  has  caused 
very  little  dama^^e.  For  t'ne  grower  »'ho  has  not  had  experience  vith  o'/eet  Corn, 
it  'vould  bo  very  advisable  to  find  out  whether  or  not  thi&  'vorm  is  severe  in 
his  immediate  locelity  before  planting  a  large  area  to  th.is  crop.   The  moth  of 
this  ivorm  lay?  its  eggs  in  the  silk  at  the  ends  of  the  ears  ,  and  when  the  worm 
er.erges  ,  it  eats  its  vjay  i:oyni   into  the  ear,  making  it  unfit  for  food.   From 


Course  33.  Page  5.  Lesson  IZ. 

observations  whic';;  hove  been  ,-nad.e  upor,  this    ini:ect  ,   it  appears  to  bs  worse 
curing  the  mid-rumrier   cro})  r'-.nd    oftentimas   oven   i;i  c.  badly  infected   locality, 
ti-'.e   earlv  c^cp  ^/ill  bt   only   sli-htly  infeci^d,   and.  mr.y  j.iossibly  evade   ixc. 
ravages  entirely.     There  e.re   several  investieatior.s  under  v/ay  to  determine 
'•bether   o:-  net  thi<:;  pe^t  may  be  controlled,  but  up  to  the   presenx  time  its 
control  has  beeii  anytliin^;  but   satisfactory.     V.'here   po=5sible  ,  an  early  cro;) 
?ho\ud  be  planted  and   if  the   grov/er  is   rcismfr  a  limited   aacunt   of   corn,  thece 
'••orna  ray  be   hand   picked   fr-/r.i  the   ear^;    p.oing   over  the    field   from  2  to   5  times' 
during  the   s-./agon;    depending  upcn  the   quantity   of  v;orms  v.>hic>.  are   present. 
This   is,  ho'vever,   only  prr.cticable   ■•/here  a  very  limited  amount   of  corn   is  grown, 
for  it   entails   coA?id'^-ratle    labor  and    expense  to  inspect   each  ear,  but   if  the 
t-,rov. er   has  had   some   e;;perie;ice   in  this   line   of  work,   he  v.dll   find  that   it   can 
be  done   quite  rapidly. 

The   ea:"s  may  be  dusted  v;ith  po-vdered  arsenic   in  the    form  of 
c^rsenate   of  lead,  (.dxed  as   follo-'s:- 

2/3Po7d2red   arsenate   of   lead  to   1/3  air  slaked  liue   cr   sulfur. 
As  this  po-vder   is   extremely  poisonous,   one    should  be  very   careful  not  to   enhaie 
the  d'.'.st    or   get   the   poison   in  a  -.'round   or   cut. 

There  also  seems  to  be  some  difference  in  the  various  varieties, 
f.nd  the  grovver  should  choose  one  "-hich  matures  as  quickly  as  possible  and  which 
has  the   husk  covering  the   ear  as  ti^^htly  as   possible. 


Course  33,  Fige  7.  Le^soM  1?. 

F.OG   PLANT 

5t.rl;/  Kl story.      The  F?rg  PlPnt   vva?    origina?.ly   icmd   gi-o?/in^ 
•^n  India   frc:n  -■■•-r --   it  Y.i^j  bee;i  r.n^rodv.oec"   ii.to  ArnL-rica.   -.nd   is  nor;  founJ   g:'o-, - 
Infx  ouite   f^enerdlly  f.'Trou';^hoi;.t  the  United   StEitos  ,   ar.d  v;hil3   its   culture   is    en 
a  -nuch  -:;r^,ller   i5cale  than  rnaiiy   other  vegc;ta"oles  ,    it    is   occasionally  quite 
remunerative, 

Ir.portance  in  Gitlif ornia.     Th.is  ve.T;etabl3   is   grown  to  quite  f- 
lar.?:e  '^'xtent   in  C?.lifornic;  anc-  ire  r-niovnt    o;    land  c'evctec  to  this  crop  is 
determined  r-toro  by  z'i.3  dsmand  zm^n  by  the  possibility   for  its   production.      As 
the  ce:a".nd  for   this  vefietablT   i^   often  light,   and  the  pricss  nay  be  so  lev 
that   ixs  culture   is  not  renmierativp  ,  the  grower   should  not  grow  a  large  anount 
'•/ithout    kno'ving  the  m'^rkst   d errands. 

Cost   of  Frodu-.ti'-n  ':;.nd   Prices  Hoceived,     The  cost    of  producing 

$20.00  to   ^-30,00  per  acre  sue  the  net   returns  ve.ry  from 
egg  plant  ^ould  very  frcrri/^30.00  to  '.ilCO.OO  ps^'   acre.     As  abovG   stated,  the 

cultivation   of  this  vegetable   is  very  liriitec   so  t}iat  the   grovrers  as  a  rul-:  , 

do  not   plant  -ore  than  one-quarter  to  one-h'^.lf  an  acre  unless  they  are   fc.vorab]; 

situated   for  the  disposition   of  this  crop. 

Cultural  ."-.&■:; uirement s .       The   cultural  requirements   for  Egg  Pla.it 
are  essentially  the  sane  r:s   for  tomatoes. 

H-:  rvest-H?.  Lgg  Plant  is  fenerally  sold  by  the  dozen  or  packed 
in  crates  some^vhat  smaller  xhc.i  those  used  for  le~tuco.  There  are  no  diseases 
nor  insect  pests  ^vhich  are   especially  troublesome  to  this   crop  in  California. 


Course   33.  page  H,  l.e.-so:i  ll. 

y.arly  History.      Thi?.  vegetable  lias  been  c;-  o'-.o   f^.x-  a  coneidore.ble 
lenf;tr->   of  tiuo  i.ni  itv   origin  i*^   -probably  in   South  America,   from  where  it  v/s? 
eA^-iorted  zo   other   c runtric-5 ,  anc'.   io  no'-'  found  grov/in/;  quit.2   extensively  throu!^■-  - 
ou'.:   tho  UrTi'cfvd   "tates- 

Imp.jrt -ai-ca   in  California.      In   southern  C3.1ifornia,  thi=?  vegetable 
1?  very   coraonly  foun-d   growing  in  quite  large  areas  in  aiany  of  the  vegetable 
,?;arden?  ,  --hile  in  central  C.lif ornia  ,   it   is   found   -ro^rinr  ir  a  large  nuaber   of 
garden'^:   but  net   a^   exten^^ively  as   in  the   former    '3ection,      j.t    i^  especially 
valuable  in  localities  where   it   can  ba   gror;n  durin.f^  the  v/inter,    for  the   prices 
.r^i'e   so  lov  d-uing  t]\e   su::ir.ier  that   the  miscellaneous-  vegetable   gro'/er   should 
plant    only  a  =!nTall  ar.ov.nt .     ':^>u..t   has  been  said   regarding  the  profits  and   cultural 
requirerents   cf  ths  tor.atc  will   also  apply  to  thi-j   crop. 

Varieties.        The  best  variety  for  the  vegetable  gardener  to  grov.- 
is  the   "Bull  Noje"    or   "Bsll   Pepper";   'vhile  the   ''Ruby  I.ing"   J.s  also   grovm  to 
soine  extent.      If  red   peppers  ar;-  desired,  the   "Red  Chili"   is  the  racst  popular 
variety.      There  r'.rK>.  no  di'':je?^ses  nor   insect  pes't'-'  -vhich  are  especially  trcuble- 
oome  to   this  crop   in  California. 

CUCUMBERS 
Z-rl-'^  History .      The  cucLunber  has  been  cultivated   in   India   for 
the  last    3000  years,  and  ■••as    found   in  China  tn o  centuries   B.   C.      It    is   founa 
rro-vin;-^  throughout  th-5   greater   portion   of   the  United   States,  and   is    one   of  ti'-r 
prijicipal  crops  i^^hich  the  vegetable  grc^-ers  raise,  especially  v;hen  located  ne^r 
the  lerger   cities. 


Coarse  33.  Page   9.  Le<-son  12. 

Importance   in  Calif crnia.      TV-e   cucv.mber   is  an   important 
vegetu.bl-3   in  California.,   not    only   for   the   fi  esW  m^-rkct  ,   but    for   canning  pur- 
poses  and  picklo'5 .      A   large  amount    of   cucu;Tiber<:.   are   qrown  throughout  the 
San  Francisco  Bay  Di<3'orict3  ,   in  the  vicii'ity   o^  Los  Angeles  ,  and  near  the 
larger   citie-^   of  the   ?tatc.      Unless  the   p_;rover  is  very   favorably   situated,  he 
should   not    plant   a  large  amount    of   ground  to.  this  vegetable,   for   it    produces 
very  heavily,   and  xhe   prices   received   in  the  middle    of   '^urr."ier  are  not   very 
reiTiunerative.     '.'here  an  e:.rly  spring  crop  can  be   secured,   it  is    ^jenerally  the 
custoE  to  pl'tnt   quite  an  area,  and  '.^hen  the  riarket   is   so  'veil   supplied  that  the 
prices  are   lov;ered  ra-cerially,  the  growers   generally  piovi'  up  the  vines  v/ith 
the  remainder   of  the  crop  on  theni,  and  use  the  land   for   =ome   other  vegetable. 
Tor  this   earl;-  crop  f-'.e   ^o"7er   often  received   as   high  as    ,100.00  to   .,;15Q.OO 
net;    for  the  rain  siramer  crop  the  net   returns  are  generally  from  ^30.00  to 
'60.00  per  acre  except   in  especially  good  seasons  of  the   year   or  -"here  the 
gro-er  has   found  a  large  market    for  this  crop. 

Cultural  Requirenents .      The  cultural  requirenents   for   cucumbers 
are   essentially  the   same  as    for  melons    or  canteloupes. 

Varieties.     ?he  leading  varieties   are  the   "Long  Green"  and  the 
"V/hite  Spine."     The  crop  is    r-enerally  sold  in  small   crates   or  by  the  dozen. 
There  are  uo  diseases  nor  insect   pests  v/iijch  are   especially  troublesoi.ie  to 
this   crop   in  California. 


Course  33.  page  10  Lesson  12. 


QUE5TICNS 

1.  Hov  is  garden  corn  planted? 

2.  Ho'v  and  -vhy  is  corn  " Tuckered"? 

3.  '''/hat  are  the  leading-  varietiec  of  Sweet  Corn? 

4.  In  ivhG.t  -vay  does  the  corn  ear  vrorn  danage  the  ear?  How  may  it  be 
controlled? 

5.  At  what  season  of  the  year  is  the  cucumber  crop  most  profitable? 

6.  Name  two  leading;  varieties  of  cucumbers. 


Address  all  correspondence  to  the  DIVISION  OF  AGRICULTURAL 
EDUCATION,  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  BERKELEY,  CALIFORNIA. 


UNIVERSITY   OF  wi.LtrORIlK 
COUvEGE   OF  aGRIJULTUFJ; 
IICULTUR.'.L  EXPERirENT  STivTION 
BERKELSf 


Dr.vid  p.   BarrovB,   Prenlr'.ent 
Thoinuo   i>'orsyth  Hunt,   De-  n 
H.   E.   V-i-n  Ncrm-.n,   Vice-Director  end 
De-'.n  University  Fxrm  School 


CORRESPONDEI'CE       COURSES 

I   N 
AGRICULTURE 


COURSE  XXXIII 

VEGETiibLE  GnRDENING 
By  S.    S.   Ror.Rrs 
Lesson     13 


Address  all  communications  relative  to  the  correspondence  courses  to 


DIVISION  OF  AaRICULTUR:.L  EDUCATION, 
UNIVERSITY  or  CALIFORNIA, 
BERKELEY, 


Course  33.  Page  2.  Leoson  13. 

RHUBARB     -      ASPARAGUS 

Rhubarb :  Early  Hirfcory.  Rhubarb  has  been  grcvn  since  3000 
B.  C.  ,  but  at  this  early  poriorl,  it  was  used  only  as  a  medicinal  herb.   It 
has  been  grown  as  a  garden  vegetable  during  the  past  two  or  three  centuries. 
It  v/as  originally  found  grov/ing  in  China  and  this  country  is  evidently  its 
native  home. 

Importance  in  California.   During  the  last  few  years  ,  this 
crop  has  come  into  prominence  in  California,  so  that  at  the  present  time 
there  is  a  large  acreage  being  planted.  Rhubarb  is  found  in  nearly  every 
county  of  the  state,  but  the  principal  centers  of  the  industry  are  in  the 
San  Francisco  Bay  district  ,  certain  portions  of  the  Sacramento  and  San 
Joaquin  valleys,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Los  Angeles. 

Yields.   The  average  yield  of  rhubarb  is  100,  40  Ibr.  boxes 
per  acre  during  the  first  year,  and  cutting  200  to  300,40-lb.  boxes  v;hen  the 
plants  have  reached  their  maximum  yield. 

Cost  of  Production  and  Prices  Received.  As  this  vegetable  is 
a  perennial,  the  heaviest  cost  is  incurred  during  the  first  year.   It  is 
generally  estimated  that  the  cost  of  seeding  one  acre  of  rhubarb,  not  in- 
cluding buying  the  roots,  is  approximately  i;^6.00.  The  cost  of  the  roots 
varies  from  v'J-  to  Ol2.  per  thousand.   The  cost  for  growing  and  harvesting 
an  average  crop  of  rhubarb,  after  the  second  year  varies  from  $60.  to  v80. 
per  acre.  The  average  prices  received  vary  from  75/  to  ^1 .   per  box,  depend- 
ing upon  the  season  at  'vhich  the  crop  is  sold.   The  highest  prices  are  generally 


Course  33.  Page  3.  Lesson  13. 

given  during  March  and  April. 

Cultural  Requirements.  This  crop  is  best  adapted  to  a  heavy 
rich  soil  u'hich  holds  the  moisture  well,  but  which  has  sufficient  drainage 
so  that  the  excess  water  is  quickly  rftmoved  ,  for  the  amount  of  moisture 
necessary  to  produce  a  good  crop,  is  considerable.  The  climatic  requirements 
for  rhubarb  are  very  exacting,  and  it  will  make   its  best  growth  during  the 
ccol  season,  so  that  it  is  especially  adapted  as  an  early  spring  and  winter 
vegetable.   There  is,  ho'vever  ,  quite  a  difference  in  the  varieties,  as  to 
their  resistance  to  heat  ,  and  there  are  certain  ones  v;hich  vi/ill  produce  a 
paying  crop  during  the  '.'/armer  months  ,  providing  there  is  a  large  supply  of 
moisture  in  the  soil. 

Preparation  of  the  Soil.  As  rhubarb  is  a  perennial  and  can  be 
cut  for  a  number  of  years  ,  great  care  should  be  taken  in  preparing  the  soil 
for  planting.  Unless  the  field  i^  very  rich  in  plant  food,  the  soil  should 
be  heavily  manured  a  few  months  before  seeding  the  plants.  At  the  time  of 
planting,  it  should  be  plov/ed  as  deep  as  possible  and  worked  thoroughly  with 
the  various  farm  implements,  so  that  it  is  in  the  finest  possible  condition 
of  tilth.  Under  no  considerations,  should  rhubarb  be  planted  in  soil  which 
has  been  carelessly  prepared. 

Plant ing .  Rhubarb  may  be  grown  from  planting  the  seeds  or 
from  transplanting  the  roots  taken  from  the  crowns  of  older  plants.  If  the 
former  method  is  used,  the  seed  should  be  sov/n  in  drills  during  the  spring, 
having  the  rows  between  2  and  3-^   feet  apart ,  depending  upon  whether  the 
cultivation  is  to  be  done  by  hand  or  horse  drawn  implements,  and  planting  the 


Course   33.  Page  4.  .  Leocon  13. 

seed   one   inch  apart.     After  the  plants  are   2  to  4  inches  tall  they  should 
be  thinned,   leaving  a  plant   every  2  to  4  inches  apart.     Vi^iere  the  stand   of 
plants   is  poor,  those  v;!->ich  have  boen  ta!:en  out  y-her.  thinning  can  be  re- 
planted  in  the  vacant   places.     These  plants  vrill  be  ready  to  set   in  the   field 
either  in  the   fall   or  during  the  coning  spring.      The  nethod   of  transplanting 
the  roots   from  older  plants,   is  the  most   conracn   form  of  propagation,  and  it 
is  the   one  v/hich  is  recomraended  ,    for  the  results   obtained   from  seedling 
plants   is  very  uncertain,  and  by  taking  the  roots   from  t'.e   older  plants, 
especially  if  they  have  been  carefully  selected,  the  grower  will  get  a  much 
heavier  yield  and  the  product  ".'ill  be  nuch  More   uniform.      One   or  tiro  years 
may  be   saved  by  using  this  method  in  preference  to  raising  plants   from  seed. 
It   is  very  essential,  lr.o\-jovsr ,  that  th.e  roots  be  taken   snly   from  the  best 
plants  and  these   should  be   secured  either  in  the   fall   rr   spring.     The  exact 
time   for  planting  in  the   fisld  varies   considerably  according  to  tlae   location, 
but   during  the  month   of   February  v/ill ,   under   ordinary  conditions   be   found  thie 
most   satisfactory  time  to  transplant.      Roots  which  are  to  bs  used  for  this 
purpose   should   contain  at   Isrst   one   eye   r.nd  arc   generally   cut    into  tv;c  to 
four  pieces  2  to  4   inches  in  length.      Thece  are  planted   in  the   field  about 
5  to   3   inches  deep,   and  the  distance   bet-een  the   hills  varies   from  4x  4  to 
6x6   feet.     If  grorn  in  the  heme  garden,  the  plants  may  be  set  at  a  closer 
distance  than  this,   but    if  the   scii   is   rich  ro  that   the   grorvth   of  the   plants 
will   be  vigorous,   the   abeve   distances   should  be    left   between  each  plant.      It 
is   sometimes  desirable  to  grow  sons  other  vegetable  between  the  ro'.vs   of 


Course  33.  Page  5.  Lesson  13, 

Rhubard  during  the    first  season,    for  the  plants  will  not   need  the  entire 
space  during  this  time. 

Care   of  the   Plants  the    first  year.      It    is  very  important   in 
order  to  secure  large,   fast   growing  thrifty  plants  that  they  should   be  grov?n 
under  the  best  possible  conditions  ,  during  the   first   year.     As  thi<?  crop  is 
one  which  requires  a  large  araount    of  water,  the   grc'-'er  should  have  an  ade- 
quate irrigation  system,  and  apply  the  water  often  enough  so  that  the  grcvth 
of  the  plants  will  not  be  checked  from  a  scarcity  of  racisture.     The  cultiva- 
tion during  the   season,   should  be  very  thorough  and  the  field   should  be  hand 
hoed   often  enough  to  keep  the  r/eed  grovrth  do'vn  and  prevent  the  soil   from 
baking  around  the   plaiits.     After  each  irrigation,  the   field   should  receive  a 
thorough  cultivation.     During  the   first   year,  care   should   bp  taken  not  to  cut 
too  many  of  the   shoots,   for  much  of  the  vitality  of  the   young  plants  would 
otherwise  te  lost.      If  the  plants  havo  not  made  a  very  vigorous   growth,  the 
gro^ve^  should  defer  cutting  until  the   follovring  season,   for  a  plant  which  is 
stunted  at  this  tirne  ••rill  never  make  as   good  a  crop  in  the   future  as  if  it 
had  been  allcv;ed  to  gro^jir  undisturbed  during  the   season. 

Future  care   of  the  ir-lmts.       The   soil  tetv;een  the  plants 
should  be  carefully  cultivated  and   irrigated   from  the   second  year  on  and  under 
no  circumstances,   should  the  "'eeds  be  allov/ed  to  grov;.   The  exact  time    of 
irrigating  depends  v;holly  upon  the  local  conditions.      It    is  a  common  practice, 
juRt  before  the  plants  are    starting  a  nev;  grovrth,  to  give  the   field  a  heavy 
cor'.ting  of  manure,   plowing  it  under  bet'veen  the   rows   of   plants  and  spading  it 


Course   33.  Fap-e  6.  Leooon  13. 

un'ler  directly  ar:)uri   each  plant..     This  v;ill  enable  the  plants  to  grov/  nuch 
Doi^e  rapidly  tnr.n  they   othenvioe  \70ui'l  ,   anl  ^^ill  make  the   otalks  Duch  more 
tender  and  lari^er.     A  ?hort  time  before  harvectinr;,  the  earth  betveen  the 
ro-'s  nay  be  plovei  ,  thro^'i.if-  the  dirt   a  fe-;  inches  up   on  the  plants.      Dvring 
the  cuttirg  season,  the  jro^rth  of  the   plantt^  i?   generally   so  lars^e  that   the 
cultivation   is   disccntinuei   during;  tnis   period,   e;:cept    :' n  the  middle    of  t'le 
ro-7s. 

I'arvestinn.      Care   should  be  tal'en  not  to   pull    off  too  many   of 
the   stercs  ,   for  by   so  dciUfT,  the  -/itality   of  the    plant   io   greatly  v/eakened  r-nd 
the   life    of  the  plant  n'i^'l   be   shortened.      It    is   a   zoof^   practice  to   sc  harvest 
the  crop  that  xhe   stalks  are   pulled   frcr.i  each  plant    once  a  v;eek.      During  the 
season   of  harvesting,  the   field   is   generally   ^cne   ever   each  mcrning.      The  oost 
co;iver:ient   rsanaer   of   ^ettinc;  the    stalks   is   for   each  nan  to  harvest   t^-o  ro^^vs  , 
leaving  the   stalks  betne^n  the  rov;s.      Another   f^irorp   of  nen  take  the   stalks, 
trim  the   leaves   off   .-^nd   set   them  ready   for  narket .      These   nav  be   ei-;her  packed 
in  4-0  pound  lug  bo^es   or  in  bundles   holding  fron  2C  to   3L  pounds   each,  and  nay 
be  hauled   loose  to  the   packing  house   or  packed   in  the    field.      As  much  larger 
returns   are   secur-d    "ron  long   stalks,  they  should  be  allo'ved  to  renain   on  the 
plants   until  they  have  retained  their   gro'.-'th,   except   possibly  '--here  a  very 
early  crop  is   desired.      There   are  no  diseases   nor  insect   pests  that   are  very 
troublesome  to  this   crop  in  California. 

Varieties.        The  raost    popular  varieties   of  rhubarb  are  the 
^'B-'irbank  Crir.son  h'inter"  ,      "V'agner's   Crimson  h'inter"   and   "Strar/berry ." 


Course  33.  p^^p  7^  Leoson  13. 

ASPARAGUS 

3arly  History.   The  original  country  in  u'hich  asparagus 
v.'ss  found  is  "lot  pc^i-.ively  knc-'n,  but  it  precunir.bly  grew  v/ild  throughout 
many  parts  of  Eu-'cpe  ,  and  has  been  used  for  food  since  200  years  B.  C,   From 
the  European  countries  in  \-hich  it  \ms  found,  it  has  gradually  found  its  v/ay 
into  many  oth^r  parts  of  the  world,  and  in  the  United  Ztates  it  has  long  been 
considered  one  of  the  ieadin;?;  vegetables.  ! 

Importance  in  California.   California  has  lon,e,  ranked  as  one 
of  the  leading  asparagus  prclucing  st^te?  ,  o'Tin-  to  the  ideal  soil,  climatic 
and  moisture  conditions.  ThiT  vegetable  is  gro-vn  chiefly  in  California  as  a 
canning  product  ^.i:d  the  annual  shipments  amounted  in  1913  to  710,000  cases,   . 
The  annual  ex_5orts  of  fresh  asparagus  from  California  average  approxiniately 
35C  cars,  Aspar&rus  has  a  ^vide  distribution  throughout  California,  but  the 
main  producing  sections  are  on  th,e  Islands  throughout  the  Sacramento  End 
San  Joaquin  Valleys,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  San  lYancisco  Eay.   There  is  also 
a  considerable  acreage  grov-n  in  southern  California. 

Cost  of  Production  and  I-rices  Received.   The  cost  of  preparing 
and  planting  asparagus  varies  from  (75.00  to  ^150.00  per  acre  f.'ith  the 
average  cost  of  ;;1QG.00,   Fron;  the  eecond  year  on,  the  cost  of  producing  this 
crop  is  sore-.'hat  le-^s  than,  the  figures  given  above.  The  average  gross  returns 
^vhere  t!-iis  vegetable  is  produced  for  canning  purposes  varies  from  ijlGO.OO  to 
;200.00  por  aero;  and  occasionally  as  high  as  ^500.00  per  acre  net  is  realized, 
where  this  vegetable  is  gro'vn  on  a  smaller  scale  by  the  niscellaneous 
vegetable  grov.ers. 


Course   33.  P^^-s   o.  Lesson   13. 

C-iltural  Rcquircaent^.        Aeparapus   cun  be   ~rr,".-n  -succesofully 
0:1  quite   a  variety   of    soilr- ,  "^he  no-^t    satisfactory  bein,^  a  liirht   sandy   or 
■peaty  soil,   v.n'-lsrlai'l   fi-oT.  3  '-o   5   feet   "ath  a  heavirr   strata  in   or^l.Gr  to  hold 
irioisture  t'cII.      The  ncir.t-jre  requireir.snts   arc   quite   exacting  and  the    grower 
slioiild   al'viys  raintain  a   gooi   supply   in  the   soil   for  tiiis   crop   is   quic'ily   in- 
jured r;here  the  auount    is   insuf ficiont .      The  most   s'dtable   clin.'tic    conditions 
are  a  fairly  low  te-.-nperature  ,  having  considera.blc  atmospheric  moisture. 

Pre  par  at  ion   of  the   Soil.      Soil   in  v.'hich  asparagus    is  to  be 
pla,nted    shov.ld  be  very   carefully   prepared  ,   for   t'ds   crop  ^.an  be   grown  frora 
five  to   fifteen  years  v.Mthout  r3-pi5.ntir-g.      Befo:'e  the   field   is   pl::.nted  ,   it 
should   be   plo-.7ed  ?s  deeply  as   possible,  reaovin^  all  rubbish  such  as   decayed 
roots,    stones,   exc.  ,   ani   shculd   be   finely  pulverized  v;ith  the  various   farn 
inipleraents. 

Fl-.ntin".      PropaeatiDn    can  be   dene   either  by  planting  the   seeds, 
pieces   of   roots   from  older  beds   or  yearling:  plants.      The    second   and  third 
ir.ethods   are  the  most   conirionly  used.      If  the   ';:;ro'-'er  -vishes  to  produce   plants 
from  seeds,  t^iey  r.ay  be   raised  by  ?oi-.'ing  the   seeds   in  ro-vs   fro:n  2  tc   3   feet 
apart,  thinninc;  f.-ie   nlants   iron  2  to  4   inches   apr.rx    in  th?   ror:.      Care   should   be 
taken  to  have  the   soil   in  the   finest   possible   condition--.and   sufficient  r.ioisture 
should   al-rays   be   present.      After  the   first   year,  the  plants  may  be   removed 
from  the   seed  beds   an^.   set   in  the   fields.      Ine  xime    of   planting  in  the   field 
in  California   "tarts   in  Iloveaber  and   continues   up  to  April,  but  the  most 
favorable  ^^cnth  under    ordinary  conditions   is  durxng  February.      The   distance 
bpt-..-°en  xhe   res  varies   fror.  4  to   3   feet   and  the  distance   bet^/een  the  plants 


Course  33.  -.^^^   9_  Lesson  13. 

vp.ries  fron  IB  inches  to  3  feet.  Wiere  thir,  crop  ic  produced  for  the 
canneries,  the  greater  distance  is  used  and  unless  xhe  soil  is  extremely- 
rich  and  of  a  very  high  value,  the  plants  shovld  not  be  set  less  than  4x6 
feet  apart.   In  preparing  the  field  for  planting,  the  furrows  should  be  made 
in  which  t"ae  plants  are  set,  raking  thnm  6  to  10  inches  deep.  Vi/hsre  possible, 
a  layer  of  well  retted  rr.anure  should  be  put  in  the  bottom  of  the  furrow, 
covering  it  with  a  fe^"  inches  of  earth,  and  setting  the  plants  in  this  trench. 
It  is  possible  to  grcv;  otner  vegetables  betv/cen  the  asparagus  rows  the  firsx 
year,  for  the  plants  will  not  need  xhe  entire  space.   Fo  cutting  should  be     j| 
dons  tho  first  season  and  the  plants  should  be  encouraged  to  grow  as  late  in 
the  surcsier  as  poocible.   The  tops  should  be  mowed  off  before  the  seed  has 
matured,  for  if  ailov;ed  to  drop  in  the  field,  a  large  number  will  gro\7;  vhich 
makes  a  very  undesirable  condition-  ,  for  the  volunteer  asparagus  plants  are 
more  diificulx  to  get  rid  of  xhai.  many  weeds.   In  the  fall,  just  before  the 
rains  have  cone,  the  field  should  be  heavily  manured,  plo^^'ed  ,  and  left  in  this 
condition  during  the  v/inter. 

Future  Care  of  the  .-">eds.   In  order  that  the  plants  may  grov: 
as  long  and  ac  thri.-^ty  as  possible,  no  cutting  ^should  be  d.one  the  seccnd  year, 
although  occasionally  the  gro'"er  harve^-S^s  a^ft^all  portion,  of  the  crop  during 
this  period.  Thic  ,  hoivever ,  is  a^■7ractice  not  to  be  recommended.  The  field 
from  the  second  year  on,  should  be  well  car?.d  for,  never  allaving  the  -sveeds  to 
.gf-ovf^nd  always  preserving  a  good  mulch  on  the  surface.   It  is  possible  to 
gro';'  vegetables  between  the  asparagus  rows  during  the  second  year  and  if  the 


Course   33.  Page   10.  Lessen   13. 

rov's  have  men  plant'^d   6  to  8  iest   apart  ,  this   prj-ctice  may   be-   kept  up  v/ith- 
out   detriment  to  the   crop.      If   an  early   spring  crop  is   desired,  the    field 
should   be   plowed   ir.  the  -dnter  ,   plowing  the   earth  away   from  the   roots  and 
into  the  middle   of   the   ro^vo;   thus   encouraging  a   quick   grov/th    of  the  plants. 
After  th3  plants  are  nearly  rap.dy  to  cut,  +he  earth  should   be   plov/ed  up  to 
the  roots  again,   covering  tlxera  a^  deeply  as  possible.     This  v/ill  produce  a 
long,  well  bler.chsd   stalk  '■;hich  xs  desirable   on  the  I'.iarket,     During  the 
cutting  season,  th?  e?rxh  between  the   rovrs   should  bo  cultivated  frotn  time  to 
time   in  order  to  keep  the  'veed   grorth  down  and  prevent  the   soil   fron  baking. 
Irrigation  is  soraetijies  necessary  daring  this  period.     After  the  cu^^^ng 
soason  is   over,   it    is  very  important   that  the  plants   should  be   so  cared   for 
that  they  "ill  grow  -^s   late   in  the   season  as  possible,   for  the   summer  grov.'th 
is  mainly  valuable    for   storing  up  the    food   supply   for  the   next   year's   crop. 
Care   should  be  taken,  however,  to  cut  the  tops  do'ovn  before  the   seeds  have 
m.atured,   for   if  they  drop  in  the   I'ield  ,  as  before  stated,  it   is  very  difficult 
to  rid  the    field    of  the  plants. 

Harvesting.      The  cutting  seasou   in  California  starts  about  the 
middle    of   January  and   continues  until  the  middle   of   June.      There   has  been 
developed  during  the  last    few  years,  a  heavy  demand  in  the  market   for  grsen 
asparagus,  to  be   shipped  to  the  Eastern  states  at  a  time  during  v/hich  it    is 
inipossibls  to  produce   it   in  these   coldir   climates.      In   order  to   get   this 
green  product  ,  the  ridges  should  not   be  as  high  as  when  the  bleached  asparagus 
is  v;anted.      For   long  distance   shipments,  the  asparagus   is  tied   in  bundles  and 
packed   in   small  bcxe^.      On  the   bottoms    of  the   boxes,   is   generally  laid  a 


Course  33.  Pa^e  11,  -Ler;son  13. 

covering  of  mess  v/hich  has  been  vret  ,  in  ordsrto  have  the  crop  arrive  on  the 
market  in  as  irsch  a  condition  as  possible.  For  long  distance  shipmento,  the 
season  generally  la';t.^  from  the  niddle  of  January  until  'iferch.  Vnen   produc- 
ing this  crop  for  the  canneries,  the  harvest  season  generally  comrnences  in 
March  and  continues  v.p  to  the  middle  of  June.  V/hen  harvesting  the  canning 
crop,  the  asparagus  cay  be  packed  in  lug  boxes,  hauled  directly  to  the  cannery, 
where  it  ir   iraed lately  canned .being  packed  in  cans  or  jers.  The  production 
of  the  canned  produce  nao  teen  developed  co  highly  that  the  asparagus  may  be 
canned  and  ready  for  sale  ivithin  six  hours  after  cutting.  The  stalks  are  cut 
by  the  use  of  a  long  gouge  v/hich  cuts  then  off  ^^.s  close  to  the  crovm  as 
possible.  V/hero  the  beds  are  v;ell  cared  for  and  are  gro-;;ing  under  favorable 
conditions,  they  nay  be  cut  from  five  to  fifteen  years  v'/ithout  replanting. 

Varieties.  TJiere  are  tv.'o  leadinrc  varieties  grown  in  California,, 
the  "Conover's  Colossal"  and  "Palmetto."  The  first  is  the  old  standard 
variety  gro^vn  chiefly  for  the  canneries  and  the  second  is  grown  niostly  v/here 
the  crop  is  to  be  sold  as  a  fresh  market  vegetable.   This  is  also  grown  to 
some  extent  for  the  canneries  as  -.veil. 

'Jj  s eases.  The  principcl  disease  which  the  asparagus  graver 
has  to  contend  vdth  is  the  rust.  This  is  mainly  troublesome  on  the  crop  after 
it  has  gone  to  seed  , and  can  be  controlled  by  spraying  the  plants  with  sulphur. 
There  are  no  insect  pests  v/hich  are  especially  troublesome  to  this  crop  in 
California. 


Course   33.  Ptig<?   12.  IiCsson  13. 

QUESTIONS 

1.  Of  the  tvvo  liiethods    of  propagaxint;  rhubarb  --hich  is  the  better? 

2.  At  wh0.t  depth  end  dic-tanceG  apart   should  rhubarb  roots  te  planted? 

3.  After  the   first  year  frorrj  planting  v;hat   cultivation  and  fertilization 
methods  sr3   generally  practiced  in  rhubarb   culture? 

4.  Explain  the   importance   of  asparagn'3   fro'-ing  in   California. 

5.  Vi/hat  are  the  best    soil,  r.;oisture   and  cliixif.ti';   conditions   for  asparagus? 

6.  Hov;  should  the   field  be  prepared,  aiid  plants  set? 

7.  \71iat   is  the   first   year's  treatment   of  the  bed? 

8.  'iVhat   is  the  harvest    season  for  asparagus   for  markei:?     For  the  canneries? 
ifeme  t'vo  varieties    of  asparagus. 


Address  all  correspondence  to  the  DIVISION  OF  AGRICULTURAL 
EDUCATIC;!  ,  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  ,  LFRiSLEY  ,  CALIFORNIA, 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  David  P.  Barrows,  President 

COLLEGE  OF  AGHTCULTJ^-5  Thon^^an  Forsyi-'a  Hunt,  E'^an 

A^.RT'XTLTnP'VL  EXPKRT'^'^NT  STATION  H.  E.  Van  Norman,  vice-Director  and 
BK-y<F.LEy  Dean  Unr.veraity  Farm  Schcoi 


CORRESPONDENCE   COURSES 

I  N 
AGRICULTURE 


COURSE  XXXIIl 

VEGETABIS  GARD^NIIW 
By  S»  S.  Rogers 
Lesson  14 


Address 


all  conmunications  relative  to  the  correspondence  courses   in  Agriculture  to 


DIVISION  OF  AGPJCULTUR.^L  EDUCATION, 
UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA, 
BERKELii/, 


Course   33  Page  2,  Lesson  14. 

puryKiHs 

Early  History.     The   original  home   of  the  pumpkin  has  not  been 
definitely  discovered,  although  either  Asia   or  Africa  is  probably  the  country 
in  which   it  wag -first    found   growing  ^-dld.      The    first   record   of  its   being 
grown,  was  during  the  seventeenth  ceiitury. 

Iiroortance   in  California.     There   i-T  a  large  acreage  devoted 
to  the  culture  of  this  crop  in  Calif orn-^a,  both  as   a  fresh  vegetable  a^id   for 
canning  purposes.     The  districts   in  ^-hich  xt  is   found  are   scattered  quite 
generally   over  the  enxire   state,   but  the  most   important   sections  are   in  the 
central    or    southern   part    of   California. 

Yields.      The   yield   of   pumpkins  varies    from  10  teas  to   20  tons 
per  acre,   the  average   being  12  tons.      The   cost    of  producing  an  acre    of 
pumpkins   is   from  v2G.0G  +o    )35.CO  per   acre  and  the  price   received  varies   from 
OlO.OO  to   $20.00   per  ton. 

Cultural  Requirements.      The   pumpkin   is  a  crop  '/hich  can  be 
gror-n  successfully   in   soils  v/hich  are   rather  poor   in  quality,    for  if  the   sr;il 
is  too  rich   in  plant   food,   the    prov.-th  -vill   go  to  viae  rather  than  to   fruit. 
This   crop  will   grov;  -jith  a   smaller   amount    of  moisture   than  many   other  vegetables 
and   under   ordinr--y   conditions,  the   field  >7ill   not   need  any  irrigation  vith  the 
exception   of   coarse,   sandy   soils.      Its   resistance  to  the   cold   is  about  the 
same  as  melons   and   it  will   stand   heat  well,   provided  there   is   sufficient 
moisture   in  t'-:    so:l. 

TI?.£  OF  PLANTING.        Pumpkins    for  -vinter   use  are   generally 
planted  bet-een  May  and  August    inclusive.      The    seed   is   generally   sown   in  hills 


Course. 33.  Page  3,  Lesson  14. 

8  X  8  to  8  X  10  feet  apart,  planting  5  to  8  seeds  per  hill,  and  covering 
"/ith  1  to  2  inches  of  soil;  ths  exact  depth  depending  upon  the  moisture 
conditions.  Ths  cultivation  during  the  season  should  be  sufficient  to  kefep 
zhe   ".'eed  grcrth  do'Tr.,  and  after  the  vines  are  coranencing  to  cover  the  ground, 
this  may  be  stopped  entirelv. 

Harvesting.  .  The  crop  should  be  left  on  the  vines  until  the 
latter  have  been  killed  oy  frost  in  the  fall ,  v;hich  is  generally  betv/een 
October  and  December.   They  should  be  hauled  off  the  field  as  soon  as  the 
vines  have  been  Villed  and  piled  in  ?  suitable  place  protected  from  the  rains 
and  extreme  ccld  -veather. 

Varieties.  The  leading  varieties  are  the  "Connecticut  Field" 
and  the  "Ilatraoth  King."  There  are  no  diseases  nor  insect  pests  '-/hich  are 
especially  trcubrescme  to  this  crop  in  California. 

SQUASH 

Barly  Mi story  and  Importance  in  California.   The  early  history 
and  importance  of  ^he'squr.sh  in  California  is  quite-  similar  to  tliat  of  the 
pumpkin.  •  ■ 

Cultural  Re'quirenents.   The  cultural  requirenients  of  the 
aquash  and  method  of  gi-o'virig  is  approximately  the  sane  as  for  the  pumpkin. 
There  ere  tn'o  classes  of  squashes,  -  summer  and  '"inter.   For  ^he  summer  squ^i^sh, 
the  seed  should  be  planted  as  early  as  possible  in  the  spring,  and  for  the 
v.'inter  squash,  the  planting  .riay  be  deferred  until  May  or  June. 

Varieties.   The  leading  variety  for  Vm^   suiraner  squash  is  the 
"V/hite  Bush  Scallop"  ,  vhile  the  "Yf^llo'v  Crooked  Meek"  is  also  used  to  some 


Covrse  33.  Page  4.  Lecgon  14. 

extent.   For  tMe  nyinter  squash,  the  "Hubbard"  variety  should  be  used.   There 
are  /lo  diseases  nor  i'usect  pests  ■vhich  are  especially  trcubleso.Tie  to  this  crop 
in  California. 

RADISHES  .  EPINACH  ,  SWIGo  CHARD  AMD  MUSTARD. 
The  above  crops  may  all  be  consitiered  under  one  heading,  for 
their  cultural  requirements  are  the  same.  These  ^re  used  chiefly  for  greens, 
and  as  the  yields  are  hirrh  per  acre  ,  not  too  much  land  should  be  devoted  to 
their  culture,  without  being  assured  of  a  ready  inarket.  These  crops  are 
gro"'n  mostly  as  a  winter  vegetable.   They  mr.y  be  planted  either  in  raised  or 
sunken  beds,  the  former  being  preferred  unless  a  large  area  is  to  be  devoted 
to  their  culture.  VJith  the  exception  of  the  Swiss  Chard,  the  seed  is  generally 
so'vn  broadcast  ar.d  the  plants  tl-.mned  to  the  proper  distance.  The  Sv/iss  Chard 
should  be  planted  in  rows  2  to  2-g-  feet  apart  mien   cultivation  is  to  be  done 
by  hand  implements  and  2-g-  to  3  feet  -.^hen  horse  dravv.i  imolements  are  to  be  used. 
It  is  a  general  custom  to  sov;  radish  seed  along  with  some  other  vegetables, 

such  as  beets,  carrots,  lettuce,  etc.  ,  for  they  -/ill  be  harvested  before  the 

are 
main  crop  needs  all  of  the  space.  Radishes/generally  tied  m  bunches  and  sold 

either  in  crates  or  by  the  dozer,  bunches. 

Varieties.   The  leading  varieties  of  radishes  are  "The  Freic'.-i 

Breakfast",  or  "White  Tip",  "Early  Scarlet  Turnip"  and  "Early  Long  Scarlet." 

The  main  variety  for  the  spinach  is  the  "Prickley"  for  the  Fall,  and  the 

"Ne'-  Zealand"  v/hen  producing  the  crop  during  the  hot  v-eather.  The  leading 

varieties  of  &-viss  Chard  are  the  "Lucullus"  and  "VJhite  S^viss  Chard."  T.here 


Course  33.  Page  5-  Lesson  14. 

are  no  diseases  nor  insect  pests  which  are  troublesome  to  these  crops  in 
California, 

ARTICHOKES 

Early  History.  This  vegetable  has  never  been  reported  as 
being  found  growing  wild,  but  it  evidently  origiriated  from  a  v;ild  plant  known 
as  "Gardoon."   This  was  found  growing  quite  profusely  in  Southern  France, 
Canary  Isles  and  several  other  countries.  The  first  authentic  record  regard- 
ing the  use  of  this  Cardoon  was  written  in  1466  and  artichokes  have  been  gro^vn 
in  England  since  the  year  1543. 

Importance  in  California.  There  is  probably  no  other  state  in 
the  union  which  holds  so  nany  advantages  for  grov;ing  this  vegetable,  as  does 
California.   The  plant  is  found  growing  in  rather  limited  numbers  in  many  of 
the  vegetable  gardens  throughout  the  State,  the  largest  sections  devoted  to  the 
culture  of  this  crop  are  found  south  of  San  Francisco  in  the  district  knov/n  as 
Half  Moon  Bay,   The  advisability  of  growing  this  crop  is  dependent  more-  upon 
the  demands  of  the  market  than  upon  the  possibility  of  production. 

Cost  of  Production  and  Prices  Received.  After  the  field  has 
become  established .artichokes  nsy  be  grown  at  a  cost  of  from  §30. 00  to  $50.00 
per  acre.  The  net  returns  vary  from  ^30. 00  to  iJlOO.OO  per  acre,  depending 
largely  upon  the  season  of  the  year  at  '/hich  this  vegetable  may  be  harvested. 

Cultural  Requirements.   Artichokes  will  grow  on  a  variety  of 
soils,  the  best  being  a  soil  of  rather  light  texture,  holding  moisture  well  and 
rich  in  plant  food.   It  is  a  rather  undesirable  crop  to  grow  on  soil  of  poor 
quality  in  \''hich  the  amount  of  moisture  is  inadequate.   This  crcp  grows  best 


Course   33.  pp.ge  6.  Lesson  14, 

v/here  there   is  plenty   of  atmospheric   moisture   and  where  the   climate   is 
temperate.      It  vrill   ordinarily   sta-nd  cold  weather  much  better  than  -"/here  the 
temperature   is  very  hot   and   dry.      As  this   is   a  perennial  crop,  care   should   be 
taken  to  have  the    soil   in  a^   fine  a  condition  as   possible   before   planting, 

planting.      Artichokes  may  be   grovm   from  planting  the    seed   or 
shoots   from  older   plants.      The   former   method   is  very  unreliable,    for  many   of 
the  plants   produced   from  se3d  'vill   fail  to  bear   a  crop.      The  most   common   form 
of   propagation  and  the   one  v;hich  is   recommended    for    use,,     is   by  planting  the 
shoots  which  gro'v  from  the  roots   of  the   old  plants.     The   grm-;er,theref ore  ,  has 
an   excellent    opportunixy  by   carefully    selpcting  the   plants   from  v;hich  the 
shoots  are  taken.,   to  proc^ire   plants   of   a  very  high  producing  quality.      These 
roots  should  be  taken  from  the  plants  as   soon  as  possible   after  they  have 
commenced  to   grow  and  mey  be   cut   from  then  by  the  use    of   a  knife   or   a  gouge; 
care  being  taken  not   to  disturb  the  roots   more  than   is   necessary.      The  most 
favorable  distance    oet-;een  the  plants   is   4  x  4   feet   and   many   of  the   groovers 
prefer   leaving  a   greater  distance  between  tne  rov;3,   and   setting  the   plants 
4x6    feet  apart..      The   field   should   be   carefully  cultivated  and   irrigated 
throughout  the   season  in  order  to  proc\.u"e  as   fast    growing  plants  as   possible, 
the   exact   number   cf  times  the^e   operations   should  be   repeated,  depending 
wholly  upon  the   local   conditions. 

Harvesting; ■      The  artichokes   should  be   harvested  as   soon  as  they 
have  attained  their   grov-th  ,   but   should   not   reraain   on  the   plants  too   long,   for 
they  will  quickly  commence  to  deteriorate  in  quality.     They  are  sold   by  the 
box   or  by  the  dozen. 


Course  33.  .  '  Fac;e  7.  Lesaon  14. 

Varieties.   The  two  varieties  which  are  grcvn  are  the  Italian 
and  the  French.   The  latter,  however,  is  preferred  on  account  of  the  quality. 
There  are  no  diseases  nor  insect  pests  which  are  especially  troublesome  to 
this  crop  in  California.  ,. 

THE  ffiDr.E  VEGETABLE  GARDEN. 


"The  home  garden  to  the  California  resident  is  an  agricultural 
advantage  which  a  large  percentage  of  the  people  are  overlooking,  for  there  is 
no  other  state  -i^hich  holds-  so  aany  advantages  to  those  '^ho  v;ill  grovr  a  home, 
vegetable  garden  than  does  California.   The  neglect  in  establishing  such  a 
garden  not  only  holds  true  for  the  city  resident  ,  bat  for  those  vjho   are  making 
their  living  from  some  agricultural  pursuit.  This  condition  is  largely 
accounted  for  by  the  fact  that  a  large  percentage  of  the  ranches  in  this  state 
are  specialized,  and  it  is  indeed  a  rare  sight  to'  see  a  well  kept  vegetable 
garden  even  on  some  of  t'ne  largest  and  most  prosperous  ranches.  Aside-  from 
securing  vegetables  of  a  much  higher  quality  than  can  be  bought  in  the  market, 
the  garden  should  afford  healthful  er.ercise  to  those  vhose  business  confines 
thera  to  offices  and  stores  and  should  be  a  source  of  inspiration  and  aid  in 
beautifying  the  ranch  or  yard. 

In  plannirg  the  hone  garden,  many  conditions  should  be  taken 
into  account,  which  would  net  be  important  v^hen  growing"  vegetables  on  a  larger 
scde.  As  before  stated,  the  general  aim  of  the  truck  'gardener  is  to  produce 
large  quantities  of  a  comparatively  small  variety  of  vegetables,  while  for  the 
home  garden,  the  gro'-'ex'  should  aiw  to  gro"/  a  small  amount  of  a  large  variety 


Course  33.  Pags  8.  Lesnnn   14. 

of  ve[;;etablcs.  The  sole  aim  of  the  truck  grower  is  to  produce  those 
vegetables  which  will  secure  for  him  th°.   highest  net  return?  for  his  labor 
end  land;  but  for  the  home  garden  the  final  returns  are  not  of  so  much  conse- 
quence ,  and  his  planting  calendar  should  be  so  arranged  that  it  will  be  possible 
to  get  vegetables  from  the  garden  during  each  week  of  the  year. 

There  are,  generally  speaking,  two  classes  of  home  gardens. 
Those  which  are  produced  in  cities  '-/here  the  amount  of  land  is  extremely 
limited,  and  those  which  are  produced  on  ranches,  having  a  relatively  large 
amount  of  land  I'i'hich  can  be  used  for  this  purpose.   For  the  former  class  of 
gro'wers  ,  horse  cultivation  is  in  most  instances,  cut  of  the  question  so  that 
much  more  can  be  produced  per  square  rod  than  when  groi-'ing  upon  a  tract  of  land 
large  enough  to  permit  cultivation  by  the  use  of  horse  drawn  implements.   The 
rows  for  the  city  garden  should,  therefore,  be  as  close  together  as  possible, 
leaving  only  sufficient  room  to  hce  and  v/ork  around  the  vegetables.   For  the 
other  class  of  home  gardens  ,  the  rows  should  be  spaced  far  enough  apart  to  allov 
the  use  of  horse  drawn  implements  ,  'vhich  ^;ill  do  away  with  much  of  the  tedious 
hand  cultivation. 

The  size  of  the  garden,  depends  mainly  upon  the  follc.ring 
conditions:   size  of  the  family,  choice  of  vegetables  v^hich  v;ill  afford  the 
greatest  satisfaction,  and  the  land  available.   The  one  who  is  grovving  this 
type  of  garden  does  not,  as  a  rule,  have  much  choice  as  to  the  location,  soil, 
etc.,  but  one  should  alv.-ays  select  a  location  which  will  be  as  warm  as  possible., 
and  the  soil  should  be  rich  in  plant  food  and  easily  irrigated.   It  should  also 
be  located  as  near  the  house  es   convenient  ,  for  it  is  often  desirable  and 


■>  —  «„   aj.  Page   9.  Lesson  14. 

Gr.n«it-ir.K:o  »ioo»o.;j<:ir jr   to  make   several   tr^'ps    to  tho   garden  each  day.      Heavy 
manuring  should   be   prucfciced,   putting  it    on  at    the  rate   of  not    less  than  25  to 
50  tens   per  acre,  and   if  a  sr^all   piece   of  ground   is  to  be   used.  heavier 

ppp1-i.oa-t.iona  tlioii   this   c^n   be   applied   with   enod    r<--<n>X-i^.       Tt    i.r.    fl^jv   vo.-y 
important  that   the  garden  be   securely   fenced,    for   it   may  be  quickly  ruined   by 
the   invasion   of  animals  which  are   running  at   large. 

Before   planting,  the   forever   should   have  a  plan  dravn   on  paper, 
sh'O'f/ing  this  exact   location   of  the  various  vegetables  tc  be    grown  and   follow 
this   plan  as  nearly  as   possible   during  the   season.      By  having   such  a  plan,   one 
can  keep  accurate   accounts  vhich  aids   greatly  in  plannjjig  a  rotation   from  one 
year  to  another.      Perennial   crops    such  as   artichokes,   rhubarb,   and  asparagus 
should   be  planted  z'r.e   fartherest  a-'ay   from  the  water   supply,   for  these  v/ill  not 
need   as   auch  irrigation  as  many   of  the'      .^^'^  lived  vegetables.      Companion 
crops  may  be   grov/n  between  most    of  the  roir;s   of  vegetables,   as   for  example, 
radishes  ,   may  be   grcvn  bet'7een  ro'7S    of   lettuce  ,  ivhich  in  turn  may  be   grown 
betT.'een  the  cabbage  plants.      It   i=;  well  to  rra^.e   several  plantings   of  the   same 
kind   of  vegetables  ,  as    for  exarnjple  ,  lettuce  should  be  planted  every  two  or 
three  '---eeks;   monthly  plantings   cf  turnips,  and   radishes  may  be   sown   each  '.'eel:; 
thus  affording  the  table  a  c6ntim»ou'==   supply  of  vegetables   of  the  highest 
quality.      'Tnat  has  been  caid   regardi-ng  the  choice    of   crops   for  the   larger 
gardens,  applies  to  a  certain  extent  to  the  hoc^e   garden,  although   it   is   possible 
and  always   desirable  to  gro-"  vegetables  at  the   season   of  the  year  in  which  it 
is   irapossible  tc  produce  them  on  a   large   scale;    thus   for   instance,   by  the  use 
of   hot   beds,   cold    frames   or  muslin,   such  crops   as  tomatoes  may  be   planted   much 


Course  33,  Page  10.  Lesson  14. 

earlier  in  the  home  garden  -nhere  they  can  be  taken  care  of  ,  than  \-'Ould  be 
possible  in  the  fields  vjhere   they  are  produced  on  a  large  scale. 

It  v;ill  be  found  very  advantageous  to  procure  a  box  in  --/hich 
the  various  seeds  may  be  kept  and  it  is  always  ^j^ise  to  order  a  much  larger 
amount  than  the  grower  expects  to  use;  ef^pecially  is  this  txuo  when  endeavoring 
to  produce  vegetables  out  of  season.  Most  of  the  vegetable  seeds  nay  be  safely 
kept  from  one  year  to  another,  so  that  -rhat  is  not  used  up  the  first  se?.3on  , 
can  be  sov/n  the  follov/ing  year.   It  is  also  possible  xo  save  seed  from  the  best 
plants  fror,-.  year  to  year,  for  the  quality  of  the  vegetables  can  be  greatly 
improved  by  so  doing.   It  is  especially  desirable  to  save  seed  from  such  crops 
as  lettuce,  onions,  caulif lever  and  cabbage. 

The  practice  of  raising  one's  ovm  vegetables  is  strongly 
recommended  and  it  is  hoped  that  more  vdll  maintain  a  home  vegetable  garden 
in  the  future  than  have  in  the  past;  for  not  only  does  it  help  to  keep  the 
family  bills  down,  but  it  should  afford  the  ero'ver  a  great  deal  of  pride, 
exercise  and  make  possible  the  securing  of  fresh  vegetables  vjhich  are  so  often 
difficult  to  obtain  from  the  markets. 


Course   33.  ?^g3   H  Leaeon  14. 

■  -QIJE3TI0NS. 

i.        At  v/hat   season  of  the  year  should   pumpkin   seed   be  planted,  and   at  v.'hat 
distance  apart  should  the  hills  be  placed? 

2.  ^That   are  the   cultural  requirement •?   of  the   pumpkin! 

3.  To  what   soil   is  the  artichoke,  best  adapted! 
Ho'v  are  artichokee   propagated? 

4.  V/hat   are  the   principal  advantages   of  the  home   garden? 

5.  What  conditions  should  be  studied  before  planting  the  home  garden? 

6.  Name  the  vep;etables  ^;hich  are  best   suited  for  grcw;ing  in  yciir  hoir.e  garden? 

7.  Nat'ie  three  vegetables  -^/hic'n  maj?'  be   grovvn  as  an  inter-crop  at  the  s'xm.e  time. 


Address   all  correspondence  to  the  DIVISION  OF  AGRICULTU3UL 
EDUCATION,  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFCPJJIA  ,  BERKELHiy  ,  CALIFORNIA. 


COLLEGE  OF  AGRIC;'J^7-u:iE 
/uTRICULTrRAJ,  2XP£RI.,/iT:TiT  STATiOlJ 
BERKELEY 


E  sn- 


ide V/hcelpr,   President 


Thouas  Fors-;rth  Hunt,   Dean  ar.a  Director 
H.  K.   Van  i.'oi-rnan,   Vice-Director  rnd  Beai 
University  Tarn!  5'chocl 


DIVISION  OF  AGRICULTUR;!.  EDUCATION 
V/.   G.   Hummul 
0.   J.   Kern 
H.   K.   Butt..rficld 
^.  T/.  Uofaus 


C  C  R  R  E  S  P  C  H  D  E  M  C  E     CO  j  R  5  E 
I  K 
A  G  R  I  C  U  L  T  U  R  E 


COURSE  V. 
0  N  I  0  IJ  C  U  L  T  U  R  E 
By  3.  '^..  Rogers 
Lessen  1. 


INDEX 


G ourse   5 ,    -   Onj.on  Culture 


Lesson  1,    Structure:  Habit  of  Growth. 

Soil  and  Climate  Requirements « 
Varieties,  Seed  Testing, 
Qr owing  from  Seed. 

Lesson  2,    Crop  Rotation  and  Fertilizers » 

Planting,  Cultivation,  Irrigation, 

Lesson  3,    Harvesting,  Curing,  Storing, 

Grov/ing  from  Sets,  Growing  for  Pickling 

Lesson  4.  Transplanting  from  Seedlings. 
The  Hot  Bed.  The  Cold  Frame. 
Growing  Onions  for  Seed, 

Lesson  5,    Diseases:  Damping  off.  Jlildew,  Smut, 
Insect  Enemies:   Thrips.  Cut  VJorms . 


— 000-  — 


inSTRUCTlONS  TO  STL'DSNTS 

You  are  expecterl  to  send  in  written  answers  to  the  questions  found 
at  the  end  of  each  lesson.  Complete  the  first  lesson,  send  in  answers  to  the 
questions  and  begin  work  on  the  second  lesson.  On  receipt  of  your  ansv/ers  to 
Lesson  1,  they  v/ill  be  returned  v;ith  corrections  and  Lesson  3  mailed  to  you. 
On  receipt  of  ansv/ers  to  Lesson  2,  a  fourth  lesson  will  be  sent,  and  so  on  to 
the  end  of  the  course,  the  student  being  constantly  supplied  vith  a  lesson  to 
be  studied  . 

Students  are  requested  to  rrite  vjith  ink  and  use  letter  paper  sinilar 
in  size  to  that  on  which  the  questions  are  printed.  Care  and  neatness  in  the 
preparation  of  the  papers  vdll  be  a;-)preciated  by  those  v.-ho  correct  then-  The 
nane  and  file  number  of  the  student ,  the  nane  of  the  course,  and  number  of  the 
lesson  should  be  rgven  v/i th  each  paper.   Students  should  keep  the  lessons  for 
future  reference.   Should  a  chance  of  address  occur,  please  notify  this  office 
immftdiately  as  lessons  beinr;  sent  as  third  class  mail  will  not  be  forwarded 
from  one  address  to  another. 

It  is  deemed  advisable  in  all  cases  that  one  course  be  completed  be- 
fore another  course  is  taken  up.  Upon  comi)leting  a  course,  a  certificate  will 
be  rant  and  a  card  that  you  may  enroll  for  any  other  course  should  you  desire 
to  do  so. 

trades  Used  in  Cnrrectinp  Answers. 

1  -  ?<arked  Excellence. 

2  -  Thoroughly  Satisfactory.  ^ 

3  -  Passed  . 

4  -  Condition,  removable  by  completing  answers. 

5  -  Failure,  necessitatin,^,  rev/ritinr,  the  answers. 

Please  address  all  correspondence  to  the  -  Division  of  Agricultural 
Education,  University  of  California,  Berkeley,  Calif. 


DovTse   5.  i^T.'"'  '^■^ 


KA^TT   "7  r.Rn-;TH.      3GIL3 .    VARIETIES. 

E-^rly  Hiatcry.        The   onioii  ins  leen  in  uce  for  3   very  gre.it    numbsr   of 
ye.-irs    -.;r;  v/'^s   consiasre'i  a':   •?,:■.  e-'litle  vecotsbie  by  the  e^rly  Boinnns  ,  ureek:s   .?.nd   evr 
■  7  the    'Jhinese  "cA   J-^pTnese.      The   origin  of  this   vegetable   ii^s  been  3  ir.acn  'H3;ov*tpi/ 
question   for  ye'rs   but    ■■.siT   is   no'v;  thought   to  be   its   n-tive  hore. 

Gross    :5truct\ire   -^n'l   Habit   of   Cro'vth.      The    onion  is   the  edible,   ■jnc'-jr- 
.jround,    c&^te■^  bulb    of    t   bien.iiil   herb.      It   is   grown   prim.-^rily   for   its   bulb':, 
■vhich  -^re   use'i   for   3e-)3oni:ig,   cooking,   'jic   ling   Tnd   for   entiag   rn'7»      The   leaver 
^re   oftsvi  usea   fov    fi^vcririg. 

The   onicn  Is   gro'7n   '^3    v   uerermipl,   bienniT.!,   or   ^nnu'l  pl-int   'iepen'iing 
largely  uuon  the  ;jur;>ose   for  -'hich  it   is  to  be   used.      It   is   n  very  shallow  fee'ier 
iuring   its    entire  fro-tn  "^na  xhe   roots   penetrate  the  soil   only  i   very   fe'.'   inches 
froD  the   surface.      The  ncrn-il   position   of  the   bulb  Is   it  the   surface,   exteniing 
Thout   1 70  thirds    out.      This    position  c^.n  be   ch^npea   consiieribly  by  the  v'rious 
cultural  rethods   epployecl  during  the  groVoh  of   the  crop.     The  tops  grov.'  fro." 
fii'teen  to  tventy-f our   inches    in   height,   dependi^ig   upon  variety,   locitiou-  tt.'^ 
fertility   of  tlte   soil.      The  gro'-rth  should   be  steady  ?nd  uniform  thrcuR;hout   the 
entire   season;      if    it   is    cnecked   the   onion  'vill  be   unfit   for  nrket   for  -vhen  the 
growth  3t,-3i-ts   ^gnin ,   the   pl-'.nt  -vill  send    oi-t    ?    f  lever  ct^lk   •-)nd  go  to   seed. 

Soils    .md   Climatic   Re'Vuirennents .    The   choice   of   ■?   suit-^ble   soil   io   o'le 
of   the   f und.Trrent-il   frictors   in   onion  grov/ing.      The    onion  c-5n  he  n'ode  to  gro-'   on  r-r^w. 
v':rjetios    of   soils   providing   the  r-oisture   rt^'^    cultural   conditions   i.re   f'=ivcr"ble. 
The   best   soil   for   the   onion  is    one  n'hich   is   retentive   enough  under   cultiv'tion  to 
feeep  sul'fii^ient   moisture  -ibout   the   roots   and   friable   enough  to   be   easily   ci-\tiv?te'- 
3nd   to   t11oi7  the   exp-«naion   01    the  bulb.      Aside   from  the  suitable  nech-?nic.?l   comi- 


;ion. 


Course  5.  Pnze   2.  Lessen  1. 

the  soil  should  be  rich  in  the  necessary  plant  fo'>c;s  and  humuc,  for  it  is  iinnossi'cle 
te  rro'v  "^   m\'inf:  "ro'i  of  onion;  ~r.  "  ;oll  of  Door  (iurlitv.   A'  he"'.";'  adobe  or  clny 
soil  ic  very  expensive  to  >  ork  rrc    is   "o   hard  p.rd   rolid  thn.t  is  ve-ry  ''if^icult  for 
the  onionc  to  retain  fneir  th.ine  -  r.ile  &.rov/ing .  The,  '^■oiln  of  thi?  crrar>>cter  are 
:-enerallv  rich  in  plant  food  and  if  \  orked  exci:ecinc:ly  carefully  good  crops  can  be 
raired,  but  the  exoense  is  so  p'eat  thr.t  it  v.lll  r.irdly  aay  except  unaer  certr.in 
favorable  local  conditions.   Soil;?  of  .'.  -ver--  €-'.n6^r   ri''^ure  >^re  very  liRble  to  te  de- 
ficient in  the  necessary  food  naterialr  and  it  is  difficult  to  retain  sufficient 
T.oisture  for  tiie  plants  unlesr  frequent  irrigation  is  practiced.   The  crop  vill 
•mature  earlier  and  be  of  a  little  v.ore  uniform  size  than  on  the  very  heavy  soilr. 
'^'j'sien   '^ro-'in^  the  crop  for  the  earlv  irarkete  the  ideal  soil  would  probably  be  of  a 

lighter  ch-'.r?.cter  than  for  arrowing  sets,  seeds  or  for  the  late  fall  rr.arket.   It  is 
absolutely  essenti<?i  that  ■.t.ether  the  coil  be  light  or  heavy  it  sho..'ld  be  free  of 
all  rubbish,  rocks,  -"n  ei'^  a*":  ••■eeds. 

The  onion  is  or^e:   of  the  hardiest  vegetables  grov/n  and  is  so  resistant 
against  moderate  cold  ".veather  that  it  is  orocuced  in  abundance  durinf  the  winter 
months  vhen  .ranv  of  the  ot;-;er  veretables  •'ou'^d  he  ''illee.   If  ri^^n  an  abundance  of 
.•'•loisture  it  v.ill  endure  the  heat  voll.   Although  thiis  vegetable  v-ill  stand  varying 
degree?  of  heat  and  cole  it  gro''.'s  i.iost  luxur-^antl"  in  a  noderate  temperature  throuph- 
it'^  entire  ./rov-th,  'vhicr.  uiaKft:  tht;  Ion/,  period  of  noccrate  --eather  ir  California 
especially  adaptec  to  r,rov.ing  onions. 

y a_r ie_i,Jjes ,   The  varieties  of  onions  are  classified  accorainj.'  to  the 
mt'.i:oaE  of  )rooar-tion,  snape  and  color.   Thepe  ciiangc  in  oopularity  considerably 
in  the  various  onion  grovinf  .'.ectiTis  of  the  'Jnited  States  and  even   in  California. 


The 

Course  5.  Page  4.  Iccron  1. 

The  choice  of  the  best  variety,  of  the  scores  which  are  listed  in  the  various  seed 
catalogues,  lies  wholly  with  the  individual  grower,  depending  largely  upon  the 
locality,  season,  method  of  disposinp,  of  the  crop  etc.  Below  will  be  found  a  list 
of  the  ooRular  varieties  of  onions  rrovn  in  thir  state  compiled  by  Profeseor  i.ickson 
in  his  book  entitled  "California  Vegetables".  A  brief  description  of  their  charac- 
teristics and  uses  are  t^lso  given. 

Barletta:  very  early,  r^mll,  pure  vhite,  smooth  and  handsome;  largely 
Fro"i"Ti  for  oickling  and  early  tor)  onions  in  f.arden  culture. 

California  It'tIv  led:  very  early  large  size,  flattish,  raid  flavor; 
not  a  good  keeper.  Chiefly  gro^i'n  by  Italian  rnarket  gardeners  and  the  variety  -'as 
probably  introduced -from  Italy. 

Kevv  Queen  or  Per.rl:   small,  early,  vhite,  fine  flavor,  chiefly  grov/ri  for 
pickling  and  for  top  onions;  especially  popular  in  Southern  California. 

Silver  Gkin  or  Ihite  Fnibtugal:   silvery  'A'hite,  medium  size,  excellent 
flavor  and  highly  esteemed  for  table  use.  Eniall  bulbs  used  for  pickling. 

V.hite  Italian  TriDoli:  very  large,  flat,  v.hite,  rapid  grov.-er  and  product!' 
snips  v?ell,  grov.n  in  Southern  California  as  an  early  variety. 

Prize-Taker  or  Span!  r.h  King :  very  large  and  beautiful,  rich  straw  color, 
flesh  'rhite,  sv/eet  and  tender;   productive  and  keeps  veil, 

Australian  Browi:  flat,  light  brovm,,a  long  keeper  and  a  good  shipper; 
very  productive  on   rich  sandy  soil  with  amply  moisture, 

Australian  Brown  Globe:  very  popular  in  Southern  California;  globular, 
light  brovn.  heavy  and  ships  well;   matures  quickly  but  keeps  well. 

ul-iite  Bermuda:  yellowish  white,  flat,  very  early,  chiefly  grovn  in 


Course  5.  Page  5.  Lescon  1. 

Southern  Cnliforni:-.  for  early  sliioment. 

Red  Be r .^Tc^da :  resen-cle?  '-'-lite  Eermuda  excep"!;  in  color. 

Flat  Lanvers:  very  early,  yello'",  oonridrraMy  grown. 

Yellov/  jlobe  I^anverg :  large,  rT^-Jicd,  yields  veil  ai;d  keeps  v.ell;   solid 
and  of  good  flavor.   One  of  the  r.ain  varieties  in  all  parts  of  "r-alifornia. 

Red  \»"ethersiield:  Large, round,  slightly  flattened,  deep  red  -ith  v-kite! 
flesh,  strongly  flavored,  v-'ell  adiptec  to  iov ,  iroist  soils,  hardy.  This  and  the 

Eanvers  Clobe  constitute  a,  rrain  part  of  the  California  crop. 

•II 

Tree  Onion:  a  variety/  v,-hicn  proQuces  top  sets  instead  of  seed  at  the 
head  of  the  seed  rte.r.  Used  in  rarden  but  not  p^pular  in  this  state. 

Aside  frorr.-.the  standardized  corc^'ercial  varieties  of  onions  tnere  "re 
•x-iny  local  varieties  ThicI".  have  been  nroduced  in  th''  various  onion  grovdng  local- 
ities by  selection,  crossing,  or  bv  natural  v.ari^tione. 

Seed  Te^^ting:  Onion  seed  deteriorates  v'ery  rapidly  ?nd  unless  the  seed  , 
is  properly  grown,  harvested  and  of  p;ood  quality  the  germnative  pov/er  vill  te  very 
low  and  the  quality  of  the  crop  ■■ill  be  far  froT,  satirff^ctorv.   If  poorly  selected 
seed  "be  planted  the  product  will  ":e  a  crop  of  "Ir-rpf.  neckr"  or  '"scullions"  '^-hich 
are  unfit  for  irarket.  An  experienced  grower  can  judf,e  in  a.  •'teneral  v/ay  the  qualitv 
of  the  seed  by  inspection.   To  be  ^/orthy  of  -planting  the  seed  should  have  a  bright 
fresh  color  shov/ing  it  to  be  fresh  and  in  good  condition.  Heavy,  nlumn,  veil  filled 
seed  are  indications  of  excellent  vitality.  It  is,  hoi='ever,  unsafe  even  for  an  ex- 
pert to  abide  '.holly  by  the  appearance  of  the  seed  ar  i-'n  ru"lity  CFn  be  definitely 
knovn  only  v/hen  thoroughly  tested,  and  it  is  Gesirable  that  this  be  dorc  before 
nurchasing.  There  are  several  riiethoas  by  which  this  cr.n  'e  done  but  a  siniole,  re- 
liable test  can  be  made  by  laying  a  fev;  hundred  seeds  -et' eei;  ';oiot  clot;,  or  -lot- 


C-jrce  5.  Page  6.  Lessor.  1. 

ting  paper  and  olacing  ■^ri  a  plite  in  a  warm  room.  By  keeping  the  cloth  or  paoer 
moist  there  will  be  no  danger  of  drying  out  the  seed  too  piuch  nor  of  rotting  it. 
iTi   a  fe^'f  days  uncover  the  sevC   and  c^unt  the  number  vhich  have  started  to  germinate. 
Repeat  the  courting  every  fev  days  until  the  remaining  seed  fails  to  germinate. 
The  percentage  of  germination  ie  er.sily  found  by  computation.  It  is  veil  to  reocat 
this  tect  often  enouph  so  that  the  results  will  be  reliable.  Grrne  ero'.vers  sov  the 
seed  in  earth  in  the  green  house  and  note  the  condition  of  the  yo;ing  olants  ac  well 
as  the  aercentage  of  germination.  This  last  method  involves  r.ore  trouble  and  has 
no  Ti^eat  advantage  over  the  plate  .xethod. 

Onion  Growing  in  Cali/ornia.  Natural  conditions  in  Califorria  are  v%rv 
favorable  for  grooving  this  crop  and  it  has  long  been  regarded  as  one  of  the  leading 
vegetable  =  vrhich  this  state  produces.  Aside  from  thie  long  nald.  seasons  which  ore- 
sentc  the  most  favorable  weather  conditions  for  the  crop  the  soils  in  many  of  the 
interior  and  coast  valleys  are  rich,  deep  and  of  tne  right  character  for  profitable 
onion  grov/ing.  Professor  Viickson  states  an  his  book  entitled  "California  Vegfetablf^ 
that  the  orion  oroduct  raised  in  this  state  cmounts  to  over  ?0~,0C0  sacks  ner  yecr. 

Although  local  conditionr  are  so  favorable,  orion  Frov/ing  in  California 
requires  the  same  experience,  care  and  good  ma.n-i-gciaent  as  in  other  states.  The  rt- 
Quirtments  for  the  production  of  a  profitable  crop  are  so  exacting  that  the  novice 
should  not  undertake  to  gro'v  onions  on  too  large  a  scale.   It  is  far  better  and  more 
orofi table  to  nut  in  a  small  oatch  and  give  them  the  required  care  and  atttntior 
than  to   plant  a  large  acreage  a»id  onlv  half  take  care  of  them.  There  is  rurh  an 
enorrrous  acreage  adapted  to  grooving  onions  in  this  atate  that  the  market  can  ea5?ilv 
be  glutted.   In  fact  the  profits  from  raising  onions  fluctuate  more  thsji  'r'ith  r.rv 
other  vegetable  and  in  one   year  the  grower  m.ay  realize  a  orofit  of  neveral  hunor-Hl 


Course  5.  Page  7.  Lesson  1. 

dollars  net  per  acre  and  the  next  season  the  crop  tray  not  pay  expenses.  There  is  r,n 
excellent  future  in  California  for  the  onion  grower  who  is  intelligent  and  industri- 
ous providing  the  crop  is  raised  under  favorable  conditions. 

PropaKr.tion  of  the  Onion.  The  onion  is.  propagated  from  seed,  transplant 
ing  the  seedlings  and  from  sets.  All  three  njethods-  are  practiced  in  this  state  but 
the  first  tvo  are  by  far  the  .Tiost  important. 

Browing;  the  Onions  from  Seed.  Or  account  of  the  very  favorable  climate  | 
California  is  especiallv  suited  for  gro"dng  the  croa  from  seed  iDlanted  directly  in 
the  field  and  in  fact  the  bulk  of  the  crop  is  raised  in  this  manner- 

_?reoaring  the  Field  for  PlantinF..  The  preparation  of  the  field  and  its 
condition  at  planting  ticneis  -^ften  the  direct  cause  of  the  success  or  failure  of  t!"e 
entire  crop.  The  first  essential  requirement  is  that  the  field  be  entirely  free 
from  weeds  of  any  kind.  If  the  previous  cultivation  of  the  field  has  been  such  that 
there  is  a  growth  of  foul  veeds,    stubble,  etc.,  onions  should  not  be  planted.  At 
planting  tieie  the  earth  should  be  rnoist  up  to  the  Eurfac>  and  the  soil  should  be  free 
from  all  laiips  or  rocks.   This  fine  mechanical  condition  of  the  soil  is  very  essen- 
tial, for  the  oir.ionseed  is  planted  very  shallow  and  v/ill  fail  to  gernunate  unless 
the  moisture  conaitiono  are  favorable. 

The  treatment  of  a  field  wiiich  is  to  be  planteci  to  onions  should  be  be- 
gun in  the  fall,  especially  if  the  soil  is  of  a  heavy  nature.  At  this  season  the 
field  should  be  plowed  as  deenly  as  possible  nnd   left  in  this  condition  until  spring. 
Lard  vhich  is  thus  treated  will  be  in  the  beSt  possible  condition  to  catch  and  ■re- 
tain  the  v.dnter  rains.  In  the  spring  after  the  veed  grsvth  has  started  and  earl" 

I 
enoagh  so  it  will  be  veil  roted  by  nlanting  time  the  field  should  either^  be  nlrved 


Course  5.  Page  3.  Lesson  1 

shallow  or  disced.  The  deoth  of  plowing  vdll  depend  largely  upon  the  v/eed  grovrth 
and  should  be  deep  enough  to  thoroughly  bury  ell  weeds.  The  choice  deoends  unon 
the  amount  of  weed  growth,  character  of  the  soil  and  amount  of  moisture  oresent.  " 
'Jnder  <?rdinary  conditions  plov/ing  would  probably  be  better  than  discincr.  It  is 
very  important  thrst  all  of  the  foul  gro-'th  be  completelv  turned  under  before  ?,oing 
to  seed  otherv'ise  the  veecs  would  be  'lore  troublesome  than  ever.  As  soon  as  the 
plov.'ing  has  been  finished  the  fields  should  be  worked  dovn  to  the  finest  condition 
possible  so  as  to  prevtmt  excessive  e\'aporation.  Frou  nov/  until  seeding  the  cul- 
tivatiorshould  be  frequent  enough  to  prevent  the  weeds  from  starting  and  to  hold 
a  mulch  fine  enough  to  keep  the  moisture  at  the  surfaci) .  This  careful  treatment  of 
the  soil  especially  at  this  time  is  of  great  importance  and  should  be  done  in  the 
best  possible  manner.  If  the  weeds  are  allowed  to  groV'  they  >"ill  check  the  grovth 
of  the  young  onion  plants  and  often  kill  thera.  If  the  soil  is  in  a  poor  mechanical 
condition  it  will  interfere  seriously  with  the  stand  of  plants.  If  the  soil  is  of 
a  loose  sandv  nature  it  is  advisable  to  pack  it  firmly  before  ;:^lanting  preventing 
the  loss  of  moisture  as  '.ruch  as  possible. 


:oiu'3e  5,  p.Tge  9.  Lesson  1. 

QUESTIOi^lS. 

.1.        I;e3cri;;e  the  h-?bit:;    of   gro'vth   of   the   onion. 

2.  Give  the  most   desir'-'bie   clic-^tic   3vn   coil   conditions   for  the 

production  of    onions.' 

3.  :;o7/  should   oaic.i  seed  be  tested  before  purch.'^sing   cr  planting? 

4.  Hc-v  Te   onions   prop^^gited? 

5.  Give  detailed  direotio.  s    for  the  pz-ep^rr^ticj   of  the   field  for  planting 

onion  seed. 


Address  -^11  correspondence  to  the  DIVISION  OF 
AGRICULTURAL  EDUCATION  ,  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  . 
BERKELEY  ,  CALIFORNIA 


I 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
C0LL|;9E  OF  AGRICULTl'RE 
AGRIGULTUR/iL  EXPERIMENT  STATION 
BERKELEY 


Davirt  P.   Bnrrov73,  president 
Thomas  F.  Hunt,   Deun 
H.  E.  Van  Norman,   Vice-Director 
and  Dean  University  Farm  School 


CORRESPONDENCE     COURSES 

•       :         - '  IN   ■■        •■  •• 

AGRICULTURE 


COURSE  V. 
ONION     CULTURE 
By  S.   5.  Rogers 
Lesson  2 . 


iddress  all  cpmmunicntionF   relative   to  the  correspondence  courses  to 

*    •      DiVlSrON-'-OF  i^GRICULlUP^L  .SDUfiATION 
UNIVERSITY     OF     C;->.LIFORNIA 

■    .     .-'...  ..;-■....  .bsri'^lsy;'  '■'■  '  '■ 


Course  5  Paga  2  Lesson  2 

FERTILIZERS  AND  PLANTIHG. 
Crop  Rotation.  The  average  soil  in  the  onion  gr<w»ing  districts  of  the 
state  is  naturally  so  well  supplied  with  the  necessary  plant  foods  that  fertiliz- 
ing is  not  a  very  general  practice.   There  are,  however »  many  instances  where  a 
judicious  amount  of  fertilizer  would  materially  increase  the  yield.   The  onion 
is  a  crop  v.'hich  responds  very  quickly  to  proper  fertilizing  and  in  fact  it  is  dif- 
ficult to  make  the  soil  too  rich  for  this  crop  provided  the  manures  are  well  in- 
corporated with  the  soil.   No  matter  how  rich  the  soil  may  be  in  the  necessary 
amount  .f  plant  food  the  same  crop  should  not  be  raised  year  after  year  on  the 
same  ground.   Continuous  cropping  of  the  land  to  onions  will  allow  the   various 
diseases  and  insect  pests  to  become  established  so  that  sooner  or  later,  the  yield 
will  be  so  diminished  that  it  \vill  be  impossible  to  raise  paying  crops  of  onions. 
By  a  carefully  planned  system  of  cro^.^  rotation,  the  fertility  can  be  kept  up  and 
often  increased  without  the  necessity  of  applying  manures  or  commercial  fertili- 
zers.  The  best  choice  of  crops  to  use  in  the  rotation  will  vary  considerably 
according  to  the  location,  .character  of  the  soil,  acreage,  etc.   At  some  period 
during  the  rotation,  one  or  more  crops  should  be  grown  and  plowed  under.   For 
this  purpose  a  legume  such  as  vetch,  clover,  peas,  etc.  should  be  grown,  for  crops 
belonging  to  this  family  enrich  the  soil  in  nitrogen  as  well  as  in  humus.  Crops 
which  are  deep  feeders  should  be  used  so  as  to  give  the  top  few  inches  a  rest , 
and  by  the  roots  penetrating  down  several  feet,  the  character  of  the  subsoil  is 
improved.   It  is  sometimes  possible  to  grow  a  crop  for  the  market  and  a  cover 
crop,  the  same  season.   Early  potatoes  can  be  followed  the  same  season  with  a 
crop  wh:  uh  is  to  be  plowed  under  providing  the  moisture  is  sufficient  either  by 
the  natural  formation  of  the  soil  or  by  irrigation.   It  is  importar.-  that  the 
weeds  do  not  increase  any  more  than  possible  during  this  rotation  and  there  should 


Courac  5  .   Page  3  Lesson  . 

be  enough  hoed  crop  raiaod  eo  that  the  weed  gro-.vth  '.vill  be  kept  at  the  miniraua. 

Where  for  certain  reasons  it  is  desirable  to  grov;  onions  year  after 
year  on  the  same  soil  the  immense  amount  of  plant  food  which  is  being  taken  by 
the  crop  should  be  replaced  if  the  yields  are  to  be  kept  up.   This  can  only  be 
done"  under  these  conditions  by  the  application  of  animal  manures,  commercial  for- 
tilizers  or  both.   It  is  much  the  best  plan  to  add  fertility  before  the  soil  has 
been  impoverished  too  much  f6r  it  will  be  very  expensive  and  take  considerable 
time  to  bring  the  fortility  of  vorn   out  soils  up  to  the  desired  standard. 

Manures.  By  far  the  best  fertilizer  to  use  for  the  onion  crop  is  barn 
yard  manure.   This  terra  includes  the  manure  frosi  several  kinds  of  animals  such 
as  horses,  covjs  ,  sheep,  poultry,  etc.   No  matter  what  kihS'ls  "used  it  should  al- 
"ways  be  veil  rotted,  at  the  time  the  seed  is  to  be  planted.   This  is  especially 
true  when  horse  manure  in  which  there  is  considerable  straw  is  used.   Fresh  man- 
ure or  that  which  has  not  completely  rotted  should  be  applied  just  before  the  fall 
plowing.   If  put  on  at  this  season,  it  should  "be  well  itfc-brporatcd  with  the  soil 
at  seeding  time.   If  applied  just  before  planting,  it  will  dry  the  soil  out  there- 
by seriously  injuring  the  stand  and  is  very  liable  to  burn  the  young  tender  seed- 
lings.  If  however"  ihe  manure  is  v.-ell  rotted  it  can  be  put  on  just  before  the 
.;pring  plowing.   Hen  manure  is  generally  used  as  a  top  dressing  and  put  on  and 
harrowed  in  jusf  before  jplanting.   In  the  selection  of  the  manure  only  that  w".ic.- 
is  the  freest  from  weed  S'>eds  should  be  used.   This  liability  of  infecting  the 
soil  with  weed  seeds  is  the  most  serious  drawback  to  the  use  of  manures  in  prefer- 
ence to  Tommercial  fertilizers. 

Amounts.  Stnbla  manure  should  be  applied  heavily.   I.'any  advocate  a 
dressing  of  thirty  to  forty  tons  per  acre.   Under  ordinary  conditions  about  t-venty 
five  tons  of  vrell  rotted  stable  manure  put  on  every  two  or  throe  years  would  be 


Course  5  Page.  4  Lesson  2 

sufficient  to  keep  up  the  fertility  of  the  soil.   Some  grov/ers  prefer  using  the 
manure  the  previous  season  on  some  other  crop  so  that  it  will  be  thoroughly  mixed 
with  the  soil  when  the  field  is  used  for  onions.   Sheep  manure  may  be  put  on 
every  three  years  at  the  rate  of  twenty  tons  per  acre.   Hen  manure  is  generally 
used  at  the  rate  of  one  ton  per  acre,   A  thoroughly  mixed  well  rotted  compost  of 
all  of  the  above  mentioned  manure  makes  an  excellent  dressing. 

The  quality  of  the  manure  is  influenced  largely  by  the  manner  in  which 
it  is  kept.  To  get  the  most  out  of  it,  the  manure  should  be  kept  in  a  large  pile 
well  sheltered  from  the  sun,  drying  winds  or  rain,  hauled  onto  the  field  and  im- 
mediately plowed  under.  Under  no  circumstances  should  the  manure  be  scattered  on- 
the  surface  in  a  thin  layer  and  allowed  to  dry  out.  If  it  is  necessary  to  haul 
It  onto  the  field  it  should  be  left  in  as  large  piles  as  possible  until  just  be- 
fore plowing. 

Commercial  Fertilizers.  A  commercial  fertilizer  is  a  material  contain- 
ing one  or  more  plant  food  elements  in  concentrated  forms,   A  complete  fertilizer 
is  one  ';ntaining  all  three  of  the  commonly  deficient  food  elenianta  , namely ,  ni- 
trogen, phosphoric  acid,  and  potash.   A  material  containing  only  or'5  or  two  of 
the  essential  plant  food  elements  is  called  an  incomplete  fertilizer.   Such  fer- 
tilizers as  nitrate  of  soda,  sulphate  or  muriate  of  potash  are  examples  of  incom- 
plete fertilizers.   The  question  of  the  choice  and  use  of  manures  and  fertilizers 
is  an  extremely  largo  and  rather  complex  subject  so  that  only  a  few  important 
suggestions  can  be  given  here. 

If  it  is  undesirable  or  impossible  to  use  manure  the  grower  will  be  ob- 
liged to  resort  to  the  use  of  a  commercial  fertilizer.   In  many  of  the  onion 
growing  localities  of  the  state  ,  especially  in  the  reclaimed  river  bottom  lands , 
the  soils  are  bo  rich  in  decaying  organic  matter  that  no  more  humus  is  needed. 


Course  5 


P    5  Lesson  -. 


On  these  soils  as  v;o  11  aa  ou  those  havinfr  a  daficicncy  of  orly  one  element,  com- 
mercial fertilizers  should  bo  used  in  preference  to  any  of  the  manures.   In  the 
choice  of  the  kind  of  fertilizers  needed  each  grov/cr  must  decide  for  himself.  It 
is  impossible  to  Rive  one  general  foVmUla  which  v/ill  be  best  on  all  -inds  of  soils 
and  under  all  conditions.   There'  are  t^?o  general  "/ays  by  v/hich  the  proper  fer- 
tilizer can  be  selected.   Onc'is  by  having  the  soil  tested  by  some  reliable  chem- 
ist and  the  other  is -by  trying  various  combinations  and  determining  by  the  gro'-'th 
of  the  plants  ••/hich  is  e^iving  the  most  favorable  results.   Tc  be  of  much  value, 
this  latter  test  should' continue  more  than  one   season.   Another  method  by  v;hich 
experienced  men  car  determine  this  point  in  a  very  general  v'ay  is  by  the  appear- 
ance of  the  grovdng  crop,   B:2lovy' bill  be  found' the  formulae  which  have' been  rec- 
ommended by  experj-cnced' onion  grov'ers .   A  complete  fertilizer  adapted  to  growing 
onions  under  ordinary  conditions-  -/ould  contain  4  to  5  %   nitrogen,  5  to  7  ^  phos- 
phorifc  acid  and  6  to  10  /c  potashi' 

:  Nitrate  of  Soda  15;i  Nitrogen    '  •  '   '   .  300  lbs. 

.Dried  Blood      '         '     •  500  " 

luriate  of  Potash  50  ^  '  '  400  " 

Where  it  is  possible  tc  obtain  cotton  seed  meal  reasonably  ,  the  f  oUov/ing  can  be 

.used:  ■  '  '  ■ 

Nitrate   of  Soda  15^.  ■.iitrogon  •  200  lbs. 

Cotton  Seed  Meal  ■  ''  '  750     " 

Acid  Phosphate  1&%  '■  750     " 

Kuriatc   of  Potash  50/.  '  300     " 

Either  forviula  may  bo  used  at  the   rate-  o-f  800-1200  ibs .  per  aero. 


Course  5  Page  6  Lesson  2 

There  has  been  much  written  upon  ready  nixed  versus  hone  mixed  ferti- 
lizers ,  each  having  some  merit  the  other  does  not  possess.   As  a  general  rule  the 
home  mixed  fertilizers  ar?  preferred,  providing  the  proper  care  is  used  in  mixing. 
This  is  also  much  cheaper  than  buying  the  ready  mixed  fertilizers  and  there  is  an 
additional  value  in  that  they  can  be  mixed  exactly  according  to  the  requirements 
of  the  field.   The  fertilizers  should  not  be  mixed  until  ready  for  use  a  d  before. 
mixing  the  raw  materials  they  should  be  carefully  'veighed.   The  mixing  should  be 
done  on  a  clean  floor  and  the  materials  should  be  v/orked  over  until  all  of  the 
lumps  have  been  finely  pulverized  and  the  mass  is  of  a  uniform  color. 

Time  and  f'cthod  of  Application.   Commercial  fertilizers  are  generally 
applied  just  previous  to  planting  ,  and  they  should  be  thoroughly  scattered  through 
the  soil.   Some  grovrers  broad  cast  and  hr.rrow  thoroughly  v/hilc  others  so\v  the 
fertilizer  in  by  the  use  of  drills.   Either  method  is  good  providing  it  is  car^.- 
fully  and  thoroughly  done.   Instead  of  applying  all  of  the  fertilizer  at  this 
time  many  grov/ers  reserve  a  portion  to  be  used  later  in  the  season  as  a  top  dress- 
ing.  Especially  is  this  true  of  the  nitrate  of  soda.   This  latter  material  v/ill 
be  found  to  be  especially  valuable  when  a  quick  grov/ing  early  maturing  crop  is  de- 
sirodl   Where  the  fields  are  to  bo  irrigated,  it  is  better  to  apply  the  fertili- 
zers, especially  the  quicker  acting  ones,  just  after  the  irrigation,  n-orking  them 
in  as  soon  as  it  is  desirable  to  cultivate  the  soil. 

The  T'fhole  subject  of  the  choice  and  uses  of  the  many  kinds  of  ferti- 
lizers is  one  '-.'hich  each  e;rov'er  must  nork  out  to  a  certain  extent  for  himself  only 
after  the  most  careful  investigations  and  observations. 

Planting 

The  dates  of  plaiting  o^ion  eoed  in  this  state  vary  considerably  ac- 
cording to  the  locality  ,  character  of  thk;  soil  and  purpose  of  growing  the  crop. 


Course  5  •  Page,  l?i  Lesson  2 

Professor  Wickson  states  in  his  book  ont.i.tled  "California  Vegetables",  "The  pre- 
cise date  of  planting  depends  upon  two  conditions,  first  the  local  rainfall  and 
second  upon  the  local  weed  growth."   In  localities  in  which  the  spring  rains  arc 
severe  and  the  weed  growth  is  luxuriant  the  date  of  planting  should  be  deferre'' 
longer  than  in  those  localities  in  which  the  spring  rains  are  very  light.   It 
is  alv/ays  best  to  put  off  planting  until  the  soil  has  become  well  wanned  ,  for 
onion  -5ed  will  not  germinate  in  cold  damp  soils.   It  is  very  important  that 
the  Weed  growth  be  stopped  before  planting,  as  onion  seed  is  very  slow  to  germi- 
nate and  it  is  practically  impossible  to  cultivate  the  field  before  the  rov/s  of 
plants  can  be  seen.   If  th<?  weeds  bG<;omo  established  the  usual  result  is  that 
the  gro\vth  of  the  young  opion  plan-i  •  is  partially  if  not  completely  stopped. 
An  experienced  onion  g*- ewer  .in  Orange  County  has  sown  onion  seed  every  month  of 
the  year  and  harvested -^ good  crops,.   The.  bulk  of  the  seeding  directly  in  the 
field  in  California  is  done  between  February  and  Kay  inclusive.   Planting  can 
generally  be  done  oarlior  in  sandy  soils  than  in  the  heavier  classes. 

The  seed  should  be  sown  in  rov/s  12-14  inches  apart  in  those  fields 
which  are  to  be  cultivated  by  hand  .  implements  ,  and  24-36  inches  apart  in  those 
fields  which  are  to  be  cultivated  by  hor^e  dravm  implements.   If  the  rows  are  14 
inches  apart ,  the  seed  .should  bo.  sown  at  the  rate  of  4-|-  pounds  per  acre  ,  provids-d 
the  seed  is  cf  good  quality.   If  the  rows  are  .24  inches  apart,  sow  at  the  rate 
of  2  pounds  per  acre  ,  and  at  the  rate  of  1-g-  pounds  per  acre  if  the  rows  are  3 
feet  a  irt.  The  depth  to  which  the  seed  is  covered  varies  according  tia  the  sea- 
son, moisture  and  character  of  the  soil.   On  heavy  soils  -vith  raoirt  earth  at  the 
surface,  the  seed  should  not  bo  covered,  over  one-half  an  inch.   On  sandy  soils, 
the' -seed  should  bvj  planted  about  one.  ip<:h.  deep.   Seed  planted  late  in  the  season 
should  be  covered  deeper  than,  if  p..  nte,d  early.   In  order  to  facilitate  the 


Course  5  Page  8  Less-on  2 

various  field  operations  necessary,  it  is  desirable  that  the  rows  be  planted 
straight.   This  can  be  done  by  carefully  marking  off  the  first  row  and  keeping 
the  others  parallel. 

Cultivation. 
The  onion  requires  much  more  thorough,  persistent  and  careful  cul- 
tivation than  any  other  crop  gror/n.   As  before  stated  the  cultivating  should 
consKence  soon  after  the  spring  plowing  and  the  field  should  be  kept  free  from 
all  weed  growth  and  well  mulched.   Upon  the  thoroughness  of  this  work  depends 
largely  the  amount  of  cultivation  which  is  needed  after  the  field  is  planted. 
The  land  should  be  in  such  a  clean  condition  at  seeding  time  that  the  cultivator 
will  not  be  needed  until  after  the  plants  appear.   If  however  the  weed  growth 
is  starting  badly  before  the  plants  appear,  they  should  not  be  allowed  to  remain. 
In  cultivating  at  this  time  it  wil"".  be  impbssible  to  see  the  seed  rows  so  that 
whatever  cultivation  is  done  should  be  very  shallow  so  as  not  to  disturb  the 
young  plants.   If  there  has  been  rain  sufficient  to  form  a  crust  on  the  surface 
before  the  seedli?5gs  have  pushed  through,  this  should  be  broken  by  the  use  of  an 
iron  rake,  brush  harrow  or  some  other  implement  which  will' stir  the  surfafce  with- 
out disturbing  the  seed.   As  soon  as  the  location  of  the  rov/s  can  be  seen  the 
field  should  have  a  thorough  cultivation  between  the  rows  of  plants.   If  the 
rov;s  are  planted  fourteon  inches  or  lesi:  apart,  this  cultivating  is  done  by  a 
wheel  hoe.   There  are  several  types  of  these  implements  on  the  market,  the  choi'! 
depending  mostly  on  the  grov/er.   If  the  rov/s  are  planted  twenty-four  inches  or 
more  apart,  the  cultivating  can  be  done  by  horse-drawn  implements.   The  culti- 
vatio  through  the  entire  seaaon  should  be  very  shallow,  for  the  onion  is  such  a 
shallow  feeder  that  the  roots  would  be  badly  injured  if  the  cultivation  was  as 
deep,  as  desirable  for  a  djop  feeding  crop  such  as  sugar  beets.   The  earth  at 


Course  5  '  Pago  9  Lesson  2 

each'  dul*tiVation  should  bo' stirred  as  close  .-as  possible  to  the  plants  without  in- 
jury to  the'  roots  and  it  shduld  al'vays  be  •remembered  that  the  proper  place  for 
the  development  of  the  bulb  is  at  the  surface  of  the  ground.   The  earth  shouiu 
not  at  any  time  be  throv.-n  over  the  bulbs,  yet  close  enough. to  keep  the  roots  well 
covered.   When  irrigation  is  practiced,  the  field  should  be  cultivated  as  soon 
as  possible  after  each  application  of  vmtor. 

After  the  field  haa  been  cultivated,  it  shpuld  be  hand  v/eoded.   This 
is  the  most  cxpdnsavc  operatiJah.  thro.ughout.  the  "'hole  season  and  the  number  of  hand 
'vcedings  the  field  -vill  need  depends  largely  upon  the  thoroughness  of  cultivation 
before  planting,  rair^fall,  charactsr  of -the  soil,  cleanliness  of  the  seed,  etc. 
The  thinning  is  generally  done  v;hen  the  field  ib   hand  'veeded  the  first  time.  Care 
should  be  taken  to  thin  the  bunches  to  only  one  plant  and  these  arc  generally 
thinned  to  ei?;ht  to  ten  plants  to  the  foot,   ':/hen  the  field  is  being  hand  weeded 
the  earth 'should  be  thoroughly  stirred  close  around  each  plant,  and  all  of  the 
weeds  carefully  pulled.   Hand  vreeding  should  be  repoatod  as  often  as  necessary 
to  keep  the  weeds  in  chock,  for  the  onion  cannot  compete  v/ith  weeds. 

Irrigation. 

Most  of  the  onions  raised  in  this  state  are  grown  "-ithout  irrigation, 
but  in  soils  of  a  very  sandy  nature,  or,  where  the  annual  rainfall  is  insufficient 
to  produce  maximum  crops,  irrigation  is  often  practiced.   The  ^mter  may  be  put  on 
by  several  different  methods  but  the  best  is  by  running  it  in  furroT7S  between  ever: 
second  or  third  row  of  plants.   In  soils  in  v^iich  the  seepage  is  poor,  the  water 
should  be  run  between  each  row.   So  much  depends  upon  the  character  of  the  soil, 
climate  and  ajnount  of  water  applied  that  -.t  is  impossible  to  give  very  definite 
directions  as  to  the  frequency  of  irrigation.   The  water  should  be  applied  oftc  ■; 
enough  to  keep  the  plants  growing  evenly  and  steadily.   If  the  soil  is  allowed  tc 


Course  5  Page  10  Lesson  2 

become  too  dry ,  there  r'ill  be  danger  of  the  onions  maturing  prematurely,  and  if 
the  soil  is  kept  too  wet ,  it  is  apt  to  result  v.n.  a  crop  of  thick  neck  onions, 
'ivhich  are  called  scullions.   Either  of  the  above  conditions  results  in  ..  failure  jj 
as  the  crop  will  be  unmarketable, 

QUESTIONS 

1.  Give  the  importance  of  crop  rotation  and  the  selection  of  the  most 
suitable  crops-. 

2.  What  is  the  value  of  manure  for  fertilizing  the  onion  field? 
■When  is  the  best  time  to  apply  manures  and  what  is  the  method  of 
application; 

3.  V/hat  is  a  commercial  fertilizer?   'J7hat  is  the  difference  betr/een 
a  complete  and  incomplete  fertilizer?  • 

4.  V/hnt  is  the  best  season  and  method  for  applying  commercial  fei-tilizcrs? 

5.  Describe  in  detail  the  manner  of  planting  onion  seed  directly  in  the 
fiold. 

6.  Describe  in  detail  the  methods  and  importance  of  cultivation. 


Address  all  correspondence  to  DIVISION  OF  AGRICULTURAL  EDUCATION, 

UNIW^RSITY  OF  QALIFORHI.A  ,  BERKELt:Y. 


UNI^/ERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
COLLEGE  OF  AGRICULTURE 
AGRICULTURAL  EXF£HIt.tENT  STATION 
BERKELEY 


Benj.    Ide  V/hecler ,  President, 

Thomas   Forsyth  Hunt ,  Dean  and  Director 

H.   E.   Van  Norman,  Vice-Director  and 

Dean  University  Farm  School 


DIVISION  OF  AGRICULTURAL  EDUCATION 
T/.  G,  Hunmcl 
0.  J.  Kern 
H.  U.  Butterficld 
\7.  y.  \7obus 


CORRESPONDENCE       COURSES 

I  N 
AGRICULTURE 


COURSE  V 
ONION       CULTURE 
By  S.   S,   Ropers 
Lesson       3, 


»/     •■:.?-■■'•'.<. 


Course  5  Page  2  Lesoon  3 

HARVESTING .   GRQV/ING  FROM  SETS. 

Gathering  the  Crop»  VThen  the  tops  on  the  majority  of  the  onions  have 

begun  to  turn  yellow  and  dry,  it  is  time  to  harvest,  even  if  a  few  of  them  are 

still  green.  It  is  very  important  that  the  harvesting  be  done  at  the  proper 

time,  for  if  it  is  deferred  too  long  the  crop  will  be  a  partial,  if  not  a 

total,  loss.   If  the  crop  is  growing  on  light,  rather  dry,  soil,  the  harvesting 

can  be  put  off  a  little  longer  than  if  the  soil  is  moist.  This  is  however 

dangerous  and  should  not  be  practiced  except  by  those  irho   are  experienced 

growers.   If  the  onions  reach  maturity  and  are  not  pulled  out  of  the  ground, 

they  will  send  out  new  rootletslin  a  remarkably  short  tine  ,  especially  if  there 

is  plenty  of  moisture  present  in  the  ground  or  atmosphere.  This  second  growth 

wholly 
is  practically  impossible  to  check  when  it  starts,  and  makes  the  onion  Ainf it 

for  anything  but  immediate  use.  The  crop  is  generally  pulled  by  hand,  leaving 
the  onions  in  windrov/s  across  the  entire  field.  Some  grov/ers  put  only  four  or 
five  rows  into  one  windrow,  while  others  put  ten  or  more,  the  choice  depending 
largely  upon  the  yield.  They  should  be  laid  thin  enough  so  that  each  bulb  will 
dry  thoroughly.  If  the  onions  have  been  allovred  to  grow  beneath  the  surface, 
it  may  be  necessary  to  dig  them  out  by  the  use  of  some  implement  such  as  a  cul- 
tivator with  a  sweep  attachment  or  even  a  single  plow.  The  length  of  time  the 
crop  should  remain  in  the  windro'.vs  varies  from  a  couple  of  days  to  several 
weeks,  While  the  onions  are  drying  in  the  windrows,  they  are  absorbing  nour- 
ishment from  the  tops  which  causes  the  latter  to  dry  up  completely.  This  is 
known  as  the  curing  process  ,  and  it  is  important  that  it  be  done  properly.  T... 
onions  should  be  turned  every  day  or  so  with  a  wooden  rake,  being  careful  not 

to  bruise  them.  After  the  tops  have  completely  dried  up  they  are  ready  to  be 

or  tv/isting 
cut  off  or  topped.  This  is  done  by  cutting/  them  off  about  one  half  inch  above 


Courne   5.  Page   3  .   Lessosa  3 

the   bulb.      If   they  are   cut  too   close,  there   is   danger   of    injury  to  the    onion, 

whereas  , if  they  are   left  too  long,  they  detrac.t   from  tjie  appearance   of  the   crop. 

Afxer  they  have  been  topped,   they  are  tJiroyjn   in   piles  and  their   fut^ire.  treatment 

depe-.ids   lart^elv  upon  the   clirnatic   conditions.      If   there   is    immediate   danaq.::  .of 
.'i:  -.'Gaoc  ---isn.   OiiT   ^s^rr-  ■       .       iM  .. , 

rain  , the    .nions   should  be   carried  as   soon  as   possible  to  a   specially  devis.ed. 

■    ■    ■  :ii.,.r.'i-   ;,.■■!..  .•.■--: 

house  or  shed  .spread  evenly  on  the  floor  and  dried  thoroughly  before  sackiiae   for 

-.Ciil-'-rr-;     •    -;■;.■'>■'   .  -•  ■     ■     ■■^.    ,■  .  ■■  ^■■o-.;.    '    .     .-.       °  _.■   • 

market.      If   there   i'j   no.  danger,  irom  iinroediate   rain,  the   crop   can,  .be.,  left,  spr.ea'' 
out  ,in  thin  piles    upon  the    field   until  thorou,^hly   cured  and   dried.     These  .piles 
should  be  v/atched   carefully, and  the-  onions,  turned  .frequently  enough  so  that-the^^ 
will  dry  evenly  on  all  sides.      Ir   certain   localities  along  the   coast  .especially 
...,?Pr,.^?E   certain  seasons  ,  .the. ^log.s   are   sojy.etiraes   troublesome  and   it  might   be  de- 
sirable to   occasionally  cover  the  piles  with  a   light   canvas  reraoving  it  after 
the   fogs  have   lifted,     Aiter  the   onions  have  become  thoroughly  dried,  they  are 
ready  to  be  sacked   fpr.inarket  ,   or  stored.     Care   should  be  taken  that  they  are 
thoroughly  dried   on  the    outer   Surface   before  being  sacked  ,   for   if   this   is  ^lamp-, 
those   onions   in  the   center   of   the   sack  are   liable  to   sprout    or  become  diseased. 
Under,  ordiijary.f; onditi.ons  ,  these  sacks  ar»   left    on  the   field   until  3oId,.provid 
_.ing  ther.q  .^re  no   ra,in5..    „  Sacks   standing   on,  damp,  soil  should  be   turned   qft&n  r.;, 
ti^e,pj9ions  at...tLii9   bpttoin„a,i:$.  ^.pt  to  take   up  r;oistur»   fron  the   soil.      It   is  rr.v 
better  v/hen  keeping   onions. under,  these   conditions  to  place  the   sacks   upo.n.  rails 
or. boards,  thus  preye,i2t;j,n;T.  ;the.fSoil  moisture   from  comiag  in  contact  with  the  'on- 
ions.    When. the   crop  is-;^<J^.^_-^^  wi^ke^.'.f orjnarket  ,   all  unde.siraole   onions   should 
be  thrmm   out.  .         . , 

If  the   crop.ia  to  be   stored, the   onions   should   be   hauled   under   cover  .i-i 
soon  as   they  are  topped.   T'li.-  -Ill  ir.i9ure  a  higher  grade  proouct  than  if   cured   i 


Course  5  Page  4  Lesson  3 

the  field.  Only  the  soundest,  best-fftrned  onions  should  be  kept  for  storage - 
purposes,  the  scullions  snd  soft  onions  should  be  sacked  and  hauled  directly 
to  the  market.  Unless  the  grower  is  situated  .near  the  market,  it  might  not  pay 
to  save- this  second  grade  product,  for  at  best  they  will  bring  very  lor/  prices. 
As  it  is  very  difficult  to  hold  onions  Vory  long  in  storage  in  this  state,  the 
bulk  of  the  crop  is  generally  sold  directly  from  the  field. 

Storage.  The  difficulty  and  uncertainty  of  being  able  to  hold  onions 
in  storage  without  too  jBuch.  deterioration  makes  it  .-necessary  to  sell  the  bulk 
of  the  crop  at  \he   tim.e.  of  harvesting.  This  explains  the  reason  that  although 
many  mare  onions  are  raised  in  this  state  each  year  than  are  consumed,  cany 
sacks  of  onions  are  shipped  into  California  and  used  in  this  state  froa  other 
places.  During  certain  months  our  markets  are  supplied  with  onions  from  Oregon 
and  Australia.  The  Oregon  grp'wers  are  able  to  hold  their  onions  in  storage 
longer  than  the  California  grovjers ,  probably  on  account  of  the  colder  weather 
vrhich  prevents  to  a  certain  extent  the  sprouting.  The  seasons  in  Australia  are 
the  reverse  to  what  they  are  in  California,  which  enables  the  grovrers  to  raise 
and  harvest  their  onions  at  the  season  r/hen  there  are  very  few  California  on- 
ions on  the  markeit.  By  planting  so  that  the  crop  will  nature  as  late  in  the 
fall  as  possible  and  by  building  a  suitable  storage  house  and  by  carefully 
handling  and  selecting  the  bulbs  for  storage,  it  ought  to  be  possible  t*   hold 
the  crop  -writhout  too  much  loss  uhiil  the  spring  when  this  crop  sells  for  high 
prices  in  proportion  te  what,  is  received  at  the  ordinary  harvest  season.   !■-• 
order  to  store  this  crop  with  the  minimum  loss,  there  are  several  conditions 

which  must  be  carefully  attended  to.  '  The  choice  of  the  bulbs  for  storing  and 

very  ■"■'•'^ 

themethod  of  curing  are/important.  Storage  at  best  is  an  expensive  •peratii»n 


Cousrce  5  Pa^e  £-  Lesson  3 


?*. 


vPly  the  best  shaped,  finest  quality  onions  should  be  kept.   If  scullions  (whic/. 
is  the  term  used  for  onions  in  which  the  growth  has  ^one  to  the  neck  and  not  to 
the  bulb),  are  stored,-  they  will  sprout  regardless  of  the  subsequent  care  and 
treatnent.  All  vhich  are  soft  or  immature  should  be  discarded.  As  before 
stated,  onions  vfhich  are  to  be  stored  should  be  hauled  under  shelter  as  socn  as 
topped.   After  they  are  thoroughly  cured,  they  should  be  screened  and  carefully 
exmnined.  This  screening  will  remove  the  outer  skin  and  aid  materially  in  exam- 
ining then.  Cnly  those  'Thich  are  up  to  the  standard  should  be  kept.  The  build- 
ing in  which  the  onions  are  to  be  stored  should  hav3  good  ventilation  and  pro- 
tection from  freezing,  should  retain  a  moderately  low  teraperature  and  should  be 
absolutely  waterproof  and  convenient. 

There  arc  nany  kinds  of  bins,  barns  and  cribs  in  constant  use  for  stor- 
ing onions  and   all  have  their  -ood  and  bad  points.   A  barn  loft  v/hich  is  'Arater- 
proof  and  has  good  ventilation  •crould  proba^tly  ;.:ako  a  good  place  for  storage.  If 
a  special  building  is  to  be  put  up,  one  sinilar  to  a  corn  crib  should  give  good 
results,   A  building  of  this  type  gives  excellent  ventilation  during  dry  v/eather 
and  by  the  use  of  canvas  or  refeiovable  sideboards,  the  dampness  can  be  kept  out. 
If  there  is  danger  from  freezing  the  sides  can  "be  closed  and  the  interior  of  tW 
house  be  heated  with  stoves,  '  The  sides  can  be  raised  or  lo\yered  at  v;ill ,  regul./ 
ing  to  a  considerable  degree  the  temperature  and  atmospheric  moisture.   It  has 
been- demonstr'ated  that  onions  should  not  be  stored  in  the  cellar. 

Onionc  can  be  kept  either  in  lairg'e  bini  or  crates  having  spaces  bet'  , 
the  slats.   If  the  onions  are  kept  in  bins  ,  they  r^hould  not  be  piled  in  l^.j^era 
over  tv/elve  or  eighteen  inches  deep;  The  bins  may  be   built  several  tiers  hi-^h. 


Course  5  Page  6  Lesson  3 

but  there  should  be  space  enouF,h  betvcen  each  bin  to  allov?  the  free  circulatii'/, 
of  air.  If  crates  are  used,  they  can  bo  placed  on  top  of  each  other,  being  oc.r. 
ful  to  allow  tho  air  to  circulate  around  each  crate.  They  should  never  be  ato:«- 
in  air-tight  barrels  or  even  in  sacks.  The  onions  should  be  carefully  examined 
from  time  to  tine,  throwing  out  all  which  are  sprouting  or  becoming  soft. 

When  growing  a  crop  of  onions  for  storage,  the  Prize  Taker  or  Spanish 
King  is  the  favorite  variety. 

Markets .  The  markets  for  Calif ornia-grovrn  onions  vary  sornewho.t  r.ccci']  • 
ing  to  the  fluctuations  of  prices.  Normally,  California  ships  core  onions  to 
Alaska  than  any  single  state.  I.lany  onions  are  sent  to  Texas  each  season,  and,  aa 
a  rule,  California  gro\vn  onions  nro  not  shipped  further  east  than  the  middle 
wost ,  a  largo  amount  of  the  crop  bein^  consumed  on  the  western  coast. 

Grorinr:  Onions  f->x;  Sets.  This  is  by  far  the  least  important  method  of 
gromng  onions  in  this  state,  althou?,h  it  is  of  sufficient  interest  to  deserve 
more  than  passirv^  mention. 

A  set  is  an  onion  ^"hich  has  stopped  growing  prematurely  but  v.'hcn  plant 
ed  again  will  resume  its  grovrth.  The  seed  from  which  the  set  is  grown  is 
planted  in  the  spring  according  to  the  method  described  under  the  heading,  "Grc- 
ing  Onions  from  Seed".  They  are  pulled  in  the  fall,  stored  over  the  winter  and 
set  in  the  field  the  following  spring.  The  main  advantage  of  growing  suts  lies 
in  the  opportunity  of  getting  the  onions  on  the  market  a  little  sooner  than  if 
the  seed  was  planted  directly  in  the  field.  Tho  preparation  of  the  field,  mr-.- 
of  growing  and  caring  for  the  young  plants  has  already  been  taken  up  under  rh^ 
heading,  "Growing  onions  for  Seed".  The  quality  of  the  soil  may  be  much  poor  v 
for  growing  sets  than  for  ordinary  onion  culture,  and  the  seed  is  sown  at  the 


Course  5  Page  t  Lesaon  3  ' 

rate  of  about  tv/enty  pounds  per  acre,     Tbis  acount  will  )n  Jieavy  enough  so  that 
tho  youne:  plants  will  stand  in  the  rows  as  cloae  as  possibl*.     These  should  not 
be  thinned,  but  care  should  be  taken  that  they  are  not   choked  out  by  the  weed 
growth.     The  seta  should  not  bo  more  than  one  half  inch  in  diameter  and  when  the 
majority  have  reachad  that  size  the  gro^h  should  be  stopped.     If  the  soil  is  of 
a  poor  quality  and  the  soed  planted  thick  enough,  they  will  soon  reech  the  possi- 
bility of  their  growth  and  should  atop  growing  at  about  tho  desired  size.     If 
irrigation  is  practiced,  the  water  should  be  kept  off  the  field  when  it  ia 

desired  to  chock  the  gro\Tth,     Uhcn  the  onions  have  stopped  growing  and  the  tops 

■      be 
are  cocjconcing  to  dry,  they  aro  ready  to/barvestcd.     After  the  seta  are  pulled, 

they  arc  thrown  in  piles,  dried  and  kept   in  suitable  places  until  planting  tine, 

A  few  growers  save  the  small  rnions  when  harvesting  their  marketable  crop  to  be 

used  for  sets  the  following  season.     This  is  not  considered  a  good  practice  how* 

•ver.     In  selecting  the  sots  tc  plant,  care  should  be  taken  to  discard  all  <jver 

one  half  inch  in  diameter,  for  when  the  sets  of  this  sise  are  planted  again  they 

will  immediately  start  to  grov,'  seed  stalks  instead  *f  tubers.     If  the  sets  are 

allowed  to  remain  undiatui'bod  in  the  soil  ever  winter,  they  will  alsc  develop 

seed  Ejtalkfl   and  be  unfit  for  the  market.     Seed  which  is  developed  upon  sets  is   «f 

very  inferior  quality,  and  should  under  no  circumstances  be  saved. 

Tho  field  in  which  tho  sets  are  tr;  be  planted  should  Vt)  very  car(Ailly 

prepared,  and  at  the  tine   of  planting  should  be  free  from  all  wood  grovrth  and  hav 

plenty  of  moisture  near  the  syrfacc.   The   field  io  marked   off   for  planting  similar 

to  v/hon  planting  the  socd  directly  in  the   field.     Sets   are  planted  in  furrows   12 

to  14  inches  apart,  if  hand   implements  are  to  bo  used   for  cultivation,  or  24  to  3P 


Course  5  Pago  8  Li  sr 

inches  apart  if  the  cultivating  is  to  be,  done  by  horse-drawn  implements.  The 
sets  arc  generally  placed  three  to  four  inches  apart  and  one  inch  deep.  The 
sets  should  be  planted  in  an  upright  position,  nnd  the  earth  should  be  fimly 
packed  around  each  one.  The  cultivation  should  be  shallow  and  frequent  enough 
to  keep  the  weed  growth  in  chock  and  to  preserve  a  good  nulch.  If  irrigation  is 
practised ,  the  earth  should  be  well  stirred  as  soon  as  the  ground  will  permit , 
after  each  application  of  water.  "The  crop  is  harvested  and  marketed  thii  same 
as  if  grown  from  seed.  Any  of  the  common  varieties  can  be  used  for  growing  s^jtp 

Growing  Ooiona  for  Picklinp..  •'rowing  onions  for  picklin?^  has  not 
proven  to  be  an  especially  remunerative  business  in  this  state  and  one  should 
not  enter  into  this  part  of  the  onion  business  too  heavily  without  some  experi- 
ence. The  one  important  condition  for  growing  pickles  is  a  sandy  soil  contain- 
ing as  little  sediment  as  possible.  To  make  a  first-class  pickle,  the  onion 
should  be  clean,  small,  well-shaped  and  soild.  The  manner  of  growing  for  pick- 
les is  about  the  same  as  growing  for  sets,  but  the  seed  is  generally  sown  at 
the  rate  of  forty  or  more  pounds  per  acre.  v:hen  the  tops  die,  which  should  be 
in  a  few  weeks,  the  onions  are  pulled,  thrown  into  piles,  cured  and  dried.  They 
are  cleaned  by  screening  through  a  sieve  having  four  meshes  to  the  inch.  After 
they  are  allowed  to  dry  more  thoroughly, they  are  recleancd  and  sorted  according 
to  their  size.  This  sorting  is  done  by  screening  through  a  sieve  having  a  3/4 
inch  mesh.  V/hen  thoroughly  dried  and  sorted  they  are  ready  for  the  market. 
The  Marietta,  or  sometimes  called  T/hitc  Queen,  is  the  most  popular 
variety  for  pickling  purposes. 

0— 


Courso  5  Po^e  9  Lesson  3 

QUESTIONS. 

1.  Describe  in  dotail  thd  manner  in  which  the  onions  should  be  harvested  and 

cured . 

2.  Describe  the  best  methods  for  storing  onions ^ 

3.  Hov.'  arc  onion  sets  produced?  Describe  in  detail  the  methods  of  growing 
'■'■  onions  from  sets. 

4.  At  what  rate  per  acre  should  seed  bo  scv/n  to  produce  pickling  onions.  Is 
the  gromng  of  pickling  onions  a  profitable  business  in  California? 

._>0 


Address  all  correspondence  to  DIVISION  OF  AGRICULTURAL  EDUCATION. 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  BERKELEY,  CALIF. 


UNIVERSITY   OF  fiALIFORTJlA 
COLLEGE  OF  AGRICULTURE 
AGRICULTURAL  EXPSRI^ffiKT  STATION 
BERKELEY 


David  p.   Barrows,   President 
Thomu3  F  .  Hunt.   Dean 
H.  E.  Van  Norman,  Vice-Director 
and  Dean  University  Farm  School 


CORRESPONDENCE     COURSES 
IN 
AGRICULTURE 


couRs:;;  v 

ONION     CULTURE 
By  S.   S..  Rogers 
Lesson  4 


Address  all  con..unxcat.ons  relative  to  the  correspondence  courses  to 
Address   ai  rji^jisiOU  OF  AGRIOULTUR..L  EOUCnTION  •     ■ 

UNIV3]RSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

BE  RI'CELSY 


Course  5,  Page  2.  •   ''  Lesson  4. 

THE  NLi;  ONIor  CULTURL.   PROEUCTIOr  OF  b'tZD. 

Transplanting  the  Seeul-.ngs. 

Although  this  aethod  ie  coniparatively  uev/  in  the  eastern  states,  it 
has  been  practiced  for  over  twenty-five  years  in  this  state  and  a  much  longer  time 
in  certain  portions  of  the  onion  grovdng  districts  of  Europe.  Raising  the  plants 
according  to  this  system  simply  means  sowing  the  seed  in  hot  beds,  cold  frames 
or  sometimes  in  the  open  in  the  early  spring  or  v/inter  and  transplanting  the  young 
plants  in  the  field.  This  system  is  used  extensively  in  this  state  and  under 
ordinary  circumstances  is  to  be  recommended  in  oreference  to  growing  sets  or  somng 
the  seed  directly  in  the  field,  especially  if  a  small  area  is  to  be  planted.  It 
is  however  a  very  costly  v.^ay  of  ^rowing  the  plants  and  one  xiha'   is  trying  it  for 
the  first  time  would  probably  do  better  to  put  in  not  over  one  acre.  This  is  cer- 
tainly the  ideal  method  of  groving  early  ma.rket  onions  and  has  many  advantages 
over  the  old  irethods.  The  onions  raised  according  to  this  system  are  very  uniform 
in  size  and  are  of  excellent  quality. 

In  this  state  the  seed  is  sown  in  hot  beds,  cold  frames,  or  sometimes 
in  the  open,  from  September  to  Kovember  inclusive,  the  exact  date  depending  upon 
the  locality  and  manner  by  which  they  are  grown.  If  the  grov.er  is  situated  in  the 
Southern  part  of  the  state  t>'here  the  winters  are  mild,  the  seed  aiay  be  sown  later 
than  in  the  northern  or  central  portions  v/here  the  winters  are  more  severe. 
Plants  which  are  to  be  grown  in  hot  beds  can  be  planted  later  in  the  season  than 
when  grown  in  cold  frames  or  in  the  open.  The  choice  of  using  the  hot  bed  or 
cold  frame  depends  largely  upon  the  location  and  ceason  of  planting.  As  a  rule 
the  plants  will  grow  faster  in  the  hot  bed  than  in  the  cold  frame  .-although  they 


Course  5.  Ppgc  3  Lesfac-o  ^ 

will  be  more  tender  in  the  forr.'.er.  VJ'hGK  the  location  and  climate  -vill  permit 
the  open  bed  will  probably  bs  fo-.-.nd  more  satisf  ictory  ar.d  should  have  the  prefev 
ence. 

The  Hot  Bed.  The  hct  tec  corsists  of  manure,  freoh  clean  sarth  of  good 
quality  and  a  frar,e  i"hich  is  generally  made  of  •-Tocd.   The  top  ia  made  of  glas^ 
set  into  \vooden  frames  called  sashes.   It  should  be  situated  in  a  convenient 
warm  location  where  the  drainage  is  the  best.   Horse  nanure  is  used  in  prefer- 
ence to  that  from  other  animals  and  the  soil  should  be  of  good  quality,  heavy 
enough  to  grov;  sxrong  vigorou;-  plants  and  light  enough  so  it  will  net  bake  and 
pack  wher  "vatered. 

In  making  the  bod,  the  first  step  is  to  put  up  the  frame.  This  is  gen- 
erally made  three  feet  in  width  and  long  enough  to  accoiTirnodate  the  desired  num- 
ber of  plants.  The  Jront  or  south  side,  should  be  a  little  core  shallow  tha.n 
the  north  side  so  that  the  top  v;ill  be  cm   an  angle  which  aide  in  letting  in  th^: 
sun  and  v/arnth.  A  layer  of  fresh  uinrotted  horse  manure  should  next  be;  put  in 
the  frame  to  a  depth  of  two  to  two  and  one  half  feet  in  thickness.  Thds  should 
be  tamped  firmly  anrl  covered  with  a  layer  of  suitably  i.-.ixud  soil  to  a  depth  of 
about  one  foot.   In  the  selection  of  the  soil,  the  light  class  should  have  the 
preference,  even  if  a  little  deficient  in  plant  food,  as  +hie  can  be  overcone 
to  a  large  degree  by  the  use  of  commercial  fertilizer,  or  manurt..  .Sandy  soils 
are  much  warmer  and  will  encourage  quicker  grcv;ing  plmits  than  the  heavier  one^, 
Th'e  be'd  should  be  well  watered  a  short  tline  previous  to  planting  and  the  quar- 
tity  used  'will  make  a  great  difference  in  the  heat  given  off  'for  it  i^■  the  ac- 
tion of  the  v;ater  in  the  manure  which  generates  the  heat.   Up  to  a  certain 
point  the  more  v/ater  used,  the  mcro  heat  there  v/ili' be  given  off. 
When  the  soil  has  become  thoroughly  warmed,  although  net  hot  enough  to  burn  th-: 


Couree  5.  Page  4.  Lesson  4. 

seed  or  tender  seedlings,  it  should  be  put  into  the  finest  possible  condition  pre- 
paratory to  planting.  If  manure  or  fertilizer  is  to  be  /aixed  v/ith  the  soil  this 
should  be  done  just  previous  to  the  planting.   The  seed  is  generally  sovnin  fur- 
rows placed  one  and  one  half  to  two  inches  apart  and  covered  about  one  inch  deep. 
For  convenience,  these  furrov.'s  are  generally  irade  from  front  to  rear  of  the  bed. 
After  the  seed  has  teen  v/atered,  the  bed  should  be  covered  v;ith  cheese  cloth  or 
light  canvas  until  the  seedlings  appear  at  the  surface.  The  soil  should  be  v.atch- 
ed  carefully  and  not  alloved  to  become  too  dry  nor  too  wet.  After  the  ter,'iporary 
covering  has  been  removed  and  the_ location  of  the   rows  can  be  found,  the  earth 
betv;een  them  should  be  carefully  and  thoroughly  stirred  and  keot  free  from  all 
weed  growth.  The  plants  phould  be  v/atered  ^.t   regular  intervals  being  careful  that 
the  soil  does  not  became  too  dry.  The  vatering  should  be  done  preferably  only  on 
bright  sunny  days  so  that  the  surface  of  the  ground  nnd   the  tops  of  the  plants  will 
dry  off  as  toon  as  possible.  If  the  weather  is  rather  cold,  it  v/ill  aid  the  plants 
materially  if  the  water  be  v/arr-ed  a  little  before  applying  it  to  the  bed.  The  bed 

should  always  be  v^ell  ventilated  in  order  that  the  plants  rcay  be  as  healthy  as 
possible.  The  glass  tops  should  be  raised  on  pleasant  varrs  days  and  during  a 
v.'arm  shov/er  it  vill  help  if  tne  tops  be  taken  off  entirely,  tut  during  a  long 
cold  storrn,  the  plants  should  be  so  protected  that  they  will  remain  dry,   If  the 
tops  are  growing  too  luxuriantly,  they  should  be  cut  back  fron  tir^e  to  time.  By 
careful  handling,  the  plants, should  reach  the  desired  size  from  Febr-uary  on,  de- 
pending principally  upon  the  date  of  planting. 

The  _C_old  ^Frame.  The  cold  fra.ne  is  .'!inde  similar  to  the  hot  bed,  ex- 
cepting that  no  fresh  manure  is  ured  to  generate  heot.  The  plants  are  raised  in 
exactly  the  saiae  iianner  as  described  for  the  hot  bed. 


Course  5.  Page  5,  T.espon  4. 

Estimating  the  Size  of  the  Bed.    It  in     eenerally  eatimated  that 
each  field  acre  will  Veqvdre  r.bov.t  1?0,OOC  'olants.  •  If  the  rovs  are  wlarted  in  the 
bed  as  suggested  above,  one  nnd  ore  half  ouncep  of  seed  vdll  be  rea-dred  for  each 
space  three  by  six  feet,  which  means  that  5,000  to  3,000  plants  -.vil?.  be  grown  in  . 
each  of  the  above  mentioned  spaces.  • 

Trang planting.  The  plants  should  ?De  palled  and'  replanted  in  such  a  mari- 
ner that  their  grovirth  in  checked  as  little  as  possible.  ••If  the  [;lnss  tops  are  still 
in  use,  they  should  be  raised  a  little,  increasing  the  amoiiht  each  day  until  they 
have  been  entirely  re:'''.oved  a  few  days  before  thepisnts  are  to  be  removed.  If  this 
precaution  is  not  taken,'  there  is  danger  of  injuring  the  plants  vAen.they  are  exposed 
after'  planting.  The  plants  .should  "ae'-removed  from  the  bed  by  r^ieans  of  a  shovel, 
being  careful  to  get  as  many  of  the  roots  as  possible.  The  tops  and- roots  are  then 
trimmed  back,  cutting  the  roots  to  about  one  half  inch  from  the  bulb- and  the  tops. 
to  about  one  inch  in  length.  Cutting  back  the  tops  and  roots  aid  the  tDlants  in 
becoming  established  v.-hen  transplanted.  If  the  roots  afe  Itft  long,-  and  straggly, 
they  are  liable  to  become  injured' M'hen  planting,  the  bulb..  If  the  t*ps  .are  left  too 
long  they  v/ill'  bend  over  to  the  ground  v/here  they  vili  be  broken  or  ':uried'  bv  the- 
various  i;-:pleraents  used  in  cultivatiT..  •   ' 

The  field  in  which  these  plants  are  to  be  set  should  be  •pf6,->E.red  ■'•it-a.  as 
much  care  and  thoroughness  as  when. planting  the  seed  in  the  field."  If  the  field 
is  free  from  all  lumps  and 'the  soil  is  roist  to  the  surf:-ce,  it ''.'dll'not  only  hel-. 
the  young  plants  to  start  but  will  nakc  it  possible  to ' set  more  plants  ner  day-^han 
if  the  soil  is  in  a 'bad  condition." '  This  alp.ne"' is  import--.nt  for  under  the  most  f^v-or- 
al^le  conditions  ,  it  is  difficult  for  one  pers6n  to  set  over  4,000  or  5,000  plants 
in  a  day.  These  are  generally  set  in' fallows' which  are  12  to  14  inches  apart,  t}.e 


o 


ourse  5.  Page  6,  Lessen  4. 

plants  being  ret  3  to  4  inches  apart  and  about  one  inci;  in  depth.  The  distance 
between  the  plants  is  tepenaant  largely  upon  the  variety.  The  Prize  Taker  is 
the  most  pr;pular  variety  for  this  kind  of  culture. 

The  fut-i.re  care  of  the  plant sr  is  similar  to  when  growing  directly 
from  seed,  although  thinning  docs  not  have  to  be  done  and  very  little  hand  weed- 
ing should  be  necessary.  The  croD  is  harvested  and  marketed  as  before  described. 

Production  of  Seed.  The  natural  conditions  for  growing  onion  seed  i;. 
this  state  are  po  favorable  that  California  leads  the  --vorld  in  the  production 
of  the  highest  grade  onion  seed  on  the  market.  The  long  dry  summers  which  are 
found  in  this  state  ensure  a  perfectly  ripened  crop  for  rain  at  the  .f-season  of 
the  year  v/hen  the  seed  heads'  are  ripening,  injures  the  quality  jiiaterially.  As 
two  seasons  are  required  to  produce  a  crop  of  seed,  the  expense  and  labor  are 
great,  so  that  onion  seed  sh'uld  be  grovm  only  undei'  the  laost  favorable  conditior; 

Growing  the  Bulbs.  The  first  season's  work  consietc  of  grov/ing  the 
bulbs.  These  are  grown  in  exactly  the  same  iranner  as  for  grov.ing  onions  fr^m 
seed  for  the  market,  Sorne  growers  use  about  six  ■■.•ounds  of  seed  per  acre  instead 
of  four  oounds  as  for  grovdng  for  the  market..  In  tae  fnll,  the  bulbs,  or"Mother 
bulbs"  as  they  are  often  called,  are  harvested,  cured  and  sacked  in  the  same  rcan* 
ner  as  for  grovdng  for  rn£;rket.  After  the  crop  has  been  properly  cured,  topprd, 
and  piled,  each  bulb  should  ';e  c?'refully  examined  !^r\i   tl:oEe  conforming  to  the 
desired  type,  caved  for  planting,  w'tile  tho  bulbs  undesirable  for  propagating 
are  nld  in  the  market.  .Before  splf^cting  the  bulbs,  a  description  of  the  de- 
sirable color,  shape  and  size  of  the  id«>al  Tiother  bulb  should  be  made  r.nd  clcoely 
followed.   This  description  of  the  idt-ai  onion  will  v^ry  somewhat,  depending 


Course  5.  Page  7.  Leseon  4. 

largely  upon  the  vrrie-'.y.  In  the  selection,  the  desiral'le  varietal  character- 
istics should  alv/Tys  be  conforir.ed  to.  Generally,  the  ideal  size  of  the  mother 
bulb  is  one  and  one  half  to  tvo  inches  in  diaineter. 

After  the  'ov.V:-s   for  the  generfd  seed  crop  have  been  selected,  they 
:    ■    ■  ■      ■  •■  "     the      ■■:■■.      •>  / 
should  be  gone  over  for  the  second  time  and,  finest  ones  set  acide.  When  plant- 
ing, these  bulbs  of  extra  quality  are  to  be  kept  separate  anci  the  eeed  from  these 
tised  f?r  groTir-g  the  seed  for  the  coning  bulb  crop,  by  tnis  careful  selection, 
it  is  possible  to  inprove  the  quality  of  the  seed  fro:::  ye-^r  to  year,  'ifter  this 
second  selection,  all  of  the  r:other  bulbs  ?h'uld  be  carefully  stored  -jntil  spring 
according  to  the  riethods  before  described. 

r'lrr.tin£  t_h_e  _B;.;..lbs_.   The  crreful  ^reparation  of  the  son.1  for  the  plajit- 
ing  of  the  mother  fculb^i  is  ju£,t  as  iin^oortant  as  "'hen  preparing  the  field  for  sets. 
The  bulbs  are  planted  in  the  s'oring  a?  soon  as  the  soil  has  been  out  into  proper 
condition  of  tilth  and  is  free  fro-,  all  veed  Trovth.  The  b-lbs  are  set  in  rov;s 
two  and  one  half  to  ^hree  and  o:-j6  half  feet  apart  and  saoald  oe  planted  c.eeo 
enough  to  be  con-pletely  covered  v/ith  earth.  The  distance  between  the  bulbs  is 
generally  equal  to  the  dia:r.eter  of  the  bulb.  This  vnll  rive  the  bulbs  sufficient 
space  in  v.-hich  to  develop  and  close  enough  so  tnat  the  grov.th  v;ill  go  xr.to  '.he 

not         ■  ■  ■■ ^  ■-"■''■   ■•■•"  ■■  •  ■■  ■     ■■'■■•■■^■- 

seed  stalk  and/v.holly  into  the  bulb. 

The  cultivation  during  the  entire  season  should  be  sufficient  to 
keep  the  v-eed  gro-.'th  do\.n  and  the.  soil  in  constijit  good  tiltn.  ■,..:'-t  ..r.t    _;een 
vTitter.  regarding  the  ;iecj3ssitv  of  thorough  cultivation  vhen  gro-.  ing  the  crop 
from  seed  or  snts  is  jupt  as  p-r^^-icr'-le   -ben  the  croo  is  being  .^ro^-r  for  seed. 
AftPr  the  seed  rtq.lks  have  b.egun  to  grpv,  the  earth  should  Le  gr-duali-'  —^rbec". 


Course  5.  Page  S.  ■.  Lesson  4. 

towards  thera  v;hich  .vil?^  aid  in  ntrengthenir.g  t/ier.  ani  preventing  breaking  v^hen  the 
seed  stalks  are  forming.  Care  shr>uld  be  use^  nrt  to  injure  the  rccts  v/hile  pushing 
the  earth  tov/ards  the  alants. 

If  the  plants  are  Jir^wn  under  irrigation,  the  \'ater  should  be  applied  in 
such  a  manner  that  the  plants  arc  kept  growing  steadily. 

Harvesting.   The  proper  tirae  to  harvest  the  seed  is  when  the  inside  cf 
the  grain  has  reached  the  dough  stnge.  At  this  time,  the  pods  and  upper  end  of  the 
stalks  have  turned  yellov.  and  a  few   of  the  seed  should  be  ripe  enough  to  fall  out 
of  the  pods  when  shaken  or  disturbed.  It  is  very  impcrtant  that  the  seed  be  gather- 
ed at  the  proper  time,  for  if  harvested  too  early  it  will  be  immature  and  germinate 
very  poorly,  while  if  it  is  gathered  too  late,  much  of  the  seed  will  be  lost.  The 
seed  is  collected  by  cutting  off  the  seed  stalks  an  inch  or  so  belo'-'  the  heads 
and  removing  directly  to  driers  where  they  are  allov/od  to  remo.in  until  thoroughly 
dried.  If  there  is  danger  of  rain,  the  seed  should  be  dried  in  a  water-proof  shed  or 
drier.  If  the  climatic  cohditi^ns  will  permit,  the  seed  ;r.ay  be  dried  out  of  doors 
by  spreading  on  sheets  made  fro.n  heavy  muslin.  V.'hether  the  seed  is  drying  in  a 
drier  or  in  the  open,  it  should  be  spread  out  in  a  thin  layer,  preferably  n-^t  over 
two  heads  in  thickness  and  dried  as  rapidly  and  thoroughly  ac  possible.  It  is  a 
good  plan  to  turn  the  heads  every  few  days  so  that  they  will  cry  evenly  on  all  sides. 
After  the  seed  has  been  th^ro-.tghly  dried,  it  is  threshed  and  then  cleaned  by  fanning 
and  stored  in  a  thin  layer  in  a  suitable  place  until  sold. 

Before  going  into  the  onion  seed  business  ti.e  novice  should  seek  the 
advice  of  a  ouccessful  grover  in  the  i.-nmediate  locplity  if  possible.  There  is  an 
excellent  future  for  growing  onion  seed  in  Culiforrda,  but  there  is  so  much  expense 
and  time  involved  in  the  production  of  a  crop  that  the  local  conditions:  should  be 


Course  5.  Page  9,  .  Lepaon  4. 

thoroughly  kn'>v,n   bef'^re  enterinp  irto.cuch  p.n  or.ter  jrirje  *n  a  large  scale. 
,.  ■  ■  QUEETIOIiS 

1.  How  are  onionr  frowii  according  to  the  new  onion  cv.it;.\re? 

2.  Give  detailed  directions  for  the  preparation  of  tl;e  h't  bed.  State  tne 

difference  between  a.  h't  bed  and  a  cold  frame. 

3.  Give  detailed  directions  for  raising  the  pln.nts  in  the  hot  bed. 

4.  Give  detailed- directions  .  for  growing  o.nion  seed. 

■  f  '.      . 

5.  Give  detailed  diro.ciions   for  curing  onion  seed: 

Address  all   correspondence  ,  to;  DIVISION  OF  AGRICITLTURAL  LDUCATIO!' 

WJircRSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA.    BERKELEY 


UMIVKRSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

COLI.Z:-E  OF  AGRICULTURE 
AGRICULIURAL  EaPI^RI:  .7.iW  STATiOiJ 
BLKKEiiEY 


De»jj.    Ide  V'heeler,   President 

Thoras  Forryth  Hunt  ,Dea"   nnd  Director 
H.   F,.   Vrir\  ijon.an  ,   Vioe-Director  ar>d 

Dean  University  Farm  School. 


C  0  u  ?.  E  i:  P  0  W  D  E  H  C  E     COURSES 

I  N 
AGRICULTURE 


COUliSE  V 

0   .>!   I  0  W      CULTURE 
3y  3,   S.  Rogers 
Lesson   5 


Course  5 


Page  2  Lesson  5 


Diseases  and  Insect  Pests.  Onions  grown  in  Cal:fcrnia  ore  reirarkaoly 
free  from  all  diseases  which  are  often  so  serious  to  the  ^^fcstern  onion  grower. 
There  are  during  certain  seasons  or  in  certain  localities  two  diseases  which  are 
scinetimes  quite  troublesome  ,  nanely  ,  damping  off  and  mildew.   The  \vr iter  has 
never  seen  here  any  of  the  onion  stiut  vhich  is  ro  troublesome  in  the  eastern 
states ,  but  on  account  of  its  importance  there  ,  a  brief  description  together 
v.'ith  the  control  measure  v;iil  be  given. 

Diseases . 

Damping  Off.   This  disease  is  troubleso.T.e  mainly  in  the  hot  beds  or 
cold  frames  v-hen  grc/ing  the  young  seedling  plants.   This  is  a  very  common  trou- 
ble in  gro«-iog  many  other  vegetables,  trees,  plants,  etc.,  under  the  same  condi- 
tions.  Damping  off  is  cau:^ed  by  several  different  fungi  v;hich  live  in  the  soil 
and  i'^fect  the  young  tender  seedlings.   These  fungi  are  microscopic  in  size  and 
are  found  at  and  near  the  surface  of  the  soil  at  -''hich  points  they  affect  the 
young  plants  causing  them  to  fall  over  and  diei   The  plants  are  subject  to  at- 
tacks of  these  fungi  during  their  entire  grovrth,  but  are  more  susceptible  just 
after  breaking  through  the  surface.    When  the  disease  first  begins  to  appear, 
a  plant  here  and  there  scattered  over  the  bed  v^ill  be  found  fallen  over  on  the 
soil  as  if  it  had  been  broken  off  at  the  surface.   If  the  conditions  are  f avo".  •■ 
able,  for  the  rapid  growth  of  the  fungi,  there  will  be  noticed  in  a  day  or  tr;o 
that  several  plants  have  fallen  over  at  the  places  where  but  a  short  time  ago 
only  one  plant  had  become  affected.   These  diseased  areas  are  generally  circulf.: 
in  shape,  and  increase  very  rapidly  until  they  can  be  plainly  distinguisned. 
Under  favorable  conditions,  this  disease  spreads  very  rapidly  and  from  these  scat 
tered  diseased  areas  the  entire  bed  may  become  ruined  in  a  very  fer;  days.  Pient^, 
of  moisture,  warmth,  and  a  v/eakened  condition  of  the  plants  presents  the  most 


Goi.rse  5 


Patre  3  Lesson  5 


favorable  conditions  unciev  's'hich  this  disease  grows  and  spreads.   The  dattping 
oTf  iu'-.gi  are  capable  of  living  in  the  soil  fro:r.  ens  season  to  another. 

Control.  Under  favorcblo  conditions  for  the  gro^rth  of  the  plants  trds 
disease  is  ^-ot  ordinarily  troublesotie.   The  successful  treatEent  is  preventa- 
tive rather  than  curative,  for  after  this  disease  has  once  become  establishad , 
it  is  very  difficult  and  ofte>^  itpossible  to  check.   The  successful  control  oi 
this  disease  ccn'5istb  of  throe  parts,  namely:  using  soil  v/nich  is  not  infected 
by  t'.esfc  f u'^iri  ,  careful  -^-atering  a.id  care  of  the  plant ,  and  avoiding  overcrowd- 
ing' 

Soil  that  is  to  be  used  for  seed  bed  should  be  free  from  these  fungi 

and  '^hanged  each  season  especially  if  any  damping  off  ras  present  during  the  pre- 
ceding year.   The  character  of  the  soil  is  also  very  important,  and  only  easily 
drained  lipht  soils  should  be  used.   If  the  soil  is  of  a  heavy  nature,  it  shoulo 
be  covered  -^ith  a  thi-^  laver  of  sharp  sand.   This  viil  allots  the  surface  to  dry 
quiclily  after  irrigating.   If  the  soil  is  very  heavy,  the  texture  %7ill  be  rauch 
Improved  hy  thoroughly  rrixing  sand  ■p.'ith  it.  The  soil  :;noisture  should  be  kept  as 
uniforr.  as  possible,  never  allowing  the  ground  to  becoir.e  too  dry  nor  too  -Tet. 
The  v/atering  should  be  done  z.s   far  as  possible  only  on  bright  suriny  days  .prefer- 
ably i<^  the  Eorning ,  fillox'ing  the  surface  of  the  soil  and  tops  of  the  plants  to 
dry  quickly.   Plants  which  are  v/eakened  by  insufficient  water,  plant  food,  etc 
are  very  susceptible  to  attacks  from  the  damping  off  fungi.   The  culture  .water- 
ing and  care  of  the  plants  should  be  such  that  they  will  rsake  a  steady,  vigorou. 
?rovrth  throughout  the  entire  season.   The  beds  should  be  veil  ventilated  at  all 
tines.   Avoid  overcrov.'ding  the  plaits. 

If  the  disease  hat   started,  pull  up  all  affected  plants  and  discontinuF: 
T'ntermf;  as  long  as  possible  -'ithout  serious  injurv  to  the  remaining  plants,  if 


Goui-rse  5  P?i?Te  i  Lesson  5 

the  diseast'  is  not  nViecked,  spray  ■'vith  amrTioniacal  copper  carbonate  mixed  a3Co."o- 

ing  to  the  follo'ving  formula: 

Copper  carbonate  6  oz. 

Strong  ajT.mon.i.a  3  pt . 

Water  50  gal. 

Make  a  paste  of  the  coj^per  carbonate  with  a  little  water  and  add  to  tha.s- 
the  aEmonia  diluted  with  about  tv-o  gallons  of  vjater.   Stir  vigorously  and  con- 
tinue to  add  the  ammonia  Ui-til  all  of  the  copper  is  dissolved.   Dilute  to  50 
gallons. 

The  plants,  and  especially  the  soil,  should  be  thoroughly  saturated  with 
this  spray.   The  deeper  i-o  is  made  to  penetrate  dovn  into  "ohe  eart'o  ,  the  better 
will  be  the  result.   Repeat  the  spraying  in  a  fev/  days  if  the  disease  has  not 
been  thoroughly  checked. 

poy.-ny  ?:"ildew  (P'^'"onospoi-a  schleidenj.ana) .   This  disease  is  mainly  trou- 
bleaome  in  Galifor'iia  ^■hen  grcving  onion  seed  and  it  is  onlj'  during  certain  sea- 
sons and  in  certain  localities  that  it  is  present.   The  disease  attacks  the  seec 
stalks  a  few  inches  above  the  ground,  causing  then;  to  fall  over  and  die  before 
the  seed  has  matured.   It-  is  seen  on  the  stalks  as  a  grs^yish  powder  and  can  be 
best  observed  in  the  early  morning  v/hen  the  plants  are  vret  v/ith  dew.   Downy  idl 
dev.'  has  not  yet  becoue  serious  enough  in  this  state  to  require  any  special  treat-- 
irent.   It  is  controlled  in  the  eastern  states  by  spi-aying  vith  Bordeaux  Hixti-rc 
made  up  at  the  strength  of  four  pounds  of  bluestone,  five  pounds  of  unslacked 
line  to  each  fifty  gallons  of  water.   Sone  sticker,  such  as  resin,  should  be 
added.   The  develcpnent  of  resistant  strains  by  selecting  the  seeds  fror  the 
healthy  heads  which  are  surrounded  by  thoRe  killed  by  this  disease  holds  out  nu^' 
promise.   Clean  cultivation  and  burning  all  of  the  old  diseased  stalks  is  stro  >jl, 
ly  reconsrended. 


Gourde  n  ra^e   a 

Onion  Sput    (Urocygris   ceoulae) >      This   disease   is   caused  by  a  fun-us   and 
is  -sevare  ir  the  oaster-   states   but  has  never  bsen  troub?.riSoue  to  the  Califor- 
nia onion   ^io-ers.        It  r.:ay   attack  the  plar-to   any  time  after  the  first   leaves 
are   forr.ed.     The  disease   catxses   dsrk  spots  to  appear  ir  the  affected  areas.     A.<5 
the   funr.vis  lives   f-i  the  soil  fror   one  searon  to  a'^other ,  rotation  of  crops  and 
clear   culture  arc  re corr. ended.        Transplanted  seedlings   ctre  not  attacked  by  frjs. 
disease  and  this' raethod  of   r.-.:it-j.re  in  those  fields  rhera  the   o^ion  smut  is  se- 
vere is  recoTa.'.e'^ded.  ■ 

I'isect  Snejjps.        Ey  far  the  r.ost   serious   insect  to   the  onio-i  crop  in 
California  is  th.^   o-ion  thrips  ,  rhich,  during  certain  seasons  and  in  certain  lo- 
calities,  causes  heav/  looses-.    ■    Such  general  pests  as  the  western  ariLy  v.orn , 
"'•ire  wonr:H   anc   cut  '■■orES   are  also  nore   or   less    conjx-.on  on  the   onion, 

Onj  on  Thrii)s»     This  insect  is  -ddely  distributed  over  the  United  States 
ar-d  has  been  the  c.v.se  of  e-!cr-:ous  loi'ses.        It  is.  generally  j-.ora  serious   in  dry 
clirates  puch  as   that   of  this  sta.tc. 

Host  Plants.      0-iion  thrnps  is  found  on  a  very  large  variety-of  plants  i- 
cluding  nany  of   our  corrmon  garden  ve^eta^les  such  as   cabbage,  melons,  tomatoes, 
etc.        It  is  s.lso  found  o^^  many  ornamentals  such  as   carnations  , roses  and  astei's 

Life  Hi:'torv   r.nd  Ha': its.      Tha  followi-i}?  account   of  the   life   history  and 
habits   of  the  o>-ion  t;:rips  is  taken  from  the  1912  year  book  of  the  United  State" 
Departinent   of  Agriculture,  Page   321,  and  vritten  by  Dr.   Chittende'^: 

"O^ving  to  the  minute  size   of  the  thrips  ,  it  is  a  matter  of  soi.e  diffi- 
culty t:)  investigate   th';ir  ■full  life  hir;tories  ,   and  it  is   particularly  diffl^v" • 
to  generalize  -"'ithbut   knowing  more   of  the  habits   of   the  iinycrtant  groups. 

"The  pureiit  thrips  is   usually  found   on  the   lo-'er  side   of  the  loa"3^   or 
srbcdded  in  the;  flo"'ers.       The'fcciale,  by  rears   of   a  tiny  sav-like  or}-an ,:  v;ith 


Gourde   5  i'a?:^   6  .  '-^^^-"-^   ^ 

rhich  she    i;-;   provrded   e.t  tnt  end   of  th'?  abdornon  ^  cuts   :-  clit  ,   i'l   a  -.^af.  cr;  .v^". 
i:3-uall/y,  n^O.  i'l  this-dopoaits   an  . es^g  generally  ins&i-ti"g  it  urder  the  tv.ldr.zTLr 
concealed  fron  viev.        Hex-e  the   egg  hatches   in  a  ie^"  days   sind  the  young  thrii^s 
v.-crks   its  v;ay   cut   a'-'d   n^Rins   to   feed.  ..    The  tlirips   larvae   .-uck  the   juices   of   t'l-v 
plantK   i"  the   i;am;o  mannor    ris   do  the  adults,   a^d   since  they  ieed   continu..uGl- /i:    • 
grovrt-i   is   rapid.        In   one   or  tvo  veeks  ,   depending  upon  thn  tfir.,perature  ,  they  cef.n- 
foedi^g   ar-d  seek  a  suitable   iacation  in  which  to  trancfon.    to   the  final  stage   oi 
the   n;-r'ph  and   froKi  that  stage  to   the   adult.        The   life   cycle   from  "ohe  tinve   of   dc- 
pouiticn   of  thu  eggs  until  the  Katuring   of  the  adult   haa  been   found  to  require, 
under  the  most   favorable   cbr'ditions— -that   is  ,   in   a  v-arr.  tGn;perature--about   throe 
vreeks.        Half   ?>   Uozo   cr  inorci  generations  n.ight  thus  be  produced  during  a  seaso"-. 
The   adult  thrips   are   so   sr.'t.l'.  thc.t  they  are   neai'ly  r.icrojcspic   in  sise   and   are  vi.:- 
difficult  to   c-ee  vithout   -.nshectxng  the  pla-vos  very   closely.        They  are  greon  yel 
lowit-h   ifi   color. 

Troat-ent ,      Dv.rin--  the  pact   few  years  ,  the  Bureau  of   Entomology   of   the 
'J' -it fd  States  Departre-^t  of •  A&iri culture  has   conducted  many  experiments   for  thd  co 
trol   of  thripc   in  the   onion   fields   of   California,   an   account   of  '.vhich  is   given 
bslov;.        Early  planting  shoL'Xd'l)e   practiced  v-hcre  possible.        As  this   insect   is 
capable   of   livi '.c'   on  :jany.  v.arieties   o*  vegetabl.^s  ,  rotation  vill,  i-nder   cvdinai"; 
conc^itic•■^s  be   of  very   little  hcnefit-w-       It   is   very   ir^portant  that  the  borders   cf 
th3   fi<.?ld   and  fieidu   adjacent   be   kept   free   iroir!  all  v/eed  growth  as  this   in?t,ct 
lives    on  rany  kindo    of  v.-eedK;   and  these  sarve  constantly  as    centers   for  infection 
throughout  the.  entire   season.        If  the  plants   are   kept.  r,ror;in-   steadily,   they  rii 
•■•ithstand  attacks    fror.  thrips  r.iuch  better  than   if   they  are  weakened   fror   ir.v,i'op;- 
care   cr  i  isuf  f  icie'"t   nourishment, 

Thrips    can   be- controlled   by  careful,  thcEOUgh  spraying,  but   fii   accouvt 


Courss  5  Page  7  Lessors   5 

their  very  snail  size  and  habit  of  living,  this  is  often  difficult.   There  hai/e 
v,=--v7  -niany  sprays  thoroughly  tested  for  the  coi^trol  of  this  insect  and  the  follow- 
ing have  proved  especially  beneficial; 

Formula  No.  i. 

iiicotine  sulijhate  3.2   oz  . 

Crosol  soap  (85;/i)  3       pt. 

Water-  50  gal. 

Fomiula  No.   2, 

NicotitTe  sulphate  4.3  oz  . 

Uhale-oil  soap  4       ib. 

Water  -50  gal. 

On  account   of  the  necessity  of  dissolving  the  V/hale-oil  soap  in 

Formula  No.   2,  the  first   fo:-rr;ula  is  a  little  easier  to  prepare.     Both  give  equally 

good  results   and  the  choice  cepends  mostly  on  the  grower.        It  is  hovvever  very 

iffiportant  that  the  sprayi'-.g  be  done  in  goo"  time  for  if  the  thrips  become  well 

established,   very  little   ca;-  be  done  to   check  their  ravages.        The   fields   should 

te' watched  vbvy  closely   and  when  thrips   can  be   seen  in  the  field,  the  spraying 

should   bo  started  iinniediatsly.        Ir  ten  days   or  tro  -rree'^s  ,   a  second  spraying 

should  be  given  the  plants.       These  tii'o  sprayings  will  generally  be  sufficient, 

but  the  field  should  be  watched  very  closely  throughout  the  season  and  whenever 

there  is   a  general  infestation,   spraying  should  be  resorted  to.      It  is  often  quJ  .c 

difficult  to  reach  the  thrips  on   account  ef  their  habit  of  growth  and  location 

but  this   can  best  be  done  by  using  three  nozzels  ,   one   on  either  side   of  the   rov; 

and  the  third  directly   over  the   plants.     Unless   the  underside   of   thfi  leaves   is  •■& 

covered,  the  spraying  will  be   of   very  little   advantage.        The  spray  should  bu   put 

on  T/ith  sufficient  force  to  cover  the  entire  leaf  surface. 

Cut  V/ornis .        Occasionally  infestations    from   cut  v/orms   are  seen   in  th,^ 

onion  fields.       Those  woms  cut"  off  the  plants   just  below  the  surface  of  the  grou  < 


Course  5  I^ago  8  "esjon  ? 

They  ca^i  b-s  control. le-l  by  pDison  bait  made  up  by  usinc  inc  poaud   of  paris  (ric-p-r, 
or  arsor.lc  to  3  gallons  of  r^-.ter.   Put  ercugh   tr-.ii-;  in  tl^i-s  s-^lution  to  r.c/r  - 
pasts.   Scatter  this  around  the  field  during  .he  afternoon.   If  they  arc  trv,..> 
hlasone  in  the  seeci  beds,  snr.tter  poison  bait  around  and  if  th3  beds  arc  not  tCD 
badly  infe3^Gd,  hand  picking:  the  -"jrr.s  at  night  -'ill  keep  them  in  control.   FcIj. 
plc-'ing  aiid  clean  cuitivatim  of  the  fields  \vill  aid  nuch  in  keeping  these  v/oie'; 
in  check. 

1.  "'Jhat  ir,  ae^c^vi-iz   off,  rr'here   docs  it  occur  and  t/hat  is  the  treatment? 

2.  Give  xa   dot-.ii  .Vo.s  trea-Lrr.-Bnt  for  the  onion  thrius. 

In  v/riting  this  course  ,  the  following  books  and  bulletins  have  been 

consulted  very  freely  and  due  credit  is  here  given  to  the  authors: 

Caliicrnia  VegctaMec  Prof.  E.  J.  V'icksor 

Cyclopedia  of  irei-ican  Agri.  L.  H.  Bailey 

The  Nev;  Cnion  Cvlture  T-  Greiner 

Pacific  Rural  PrsbS  California  Cultivator 

Farn'-rs  Bu.  #434  U,3,D.A,    _  Fanr.ers  Bui.  #39  D.S.D.A. 

Ind .Experiment  Station  Cir.  ;/fl5  Gol,S:cper,Sta.Bul.  #81. 

.„— 0 

Address   all   corrGsp..ndence  to  DiVISIO"::   Or    AGRICULTUR.-.L  EDUCATION 

UNIVERSITY   OF  GaLIFGRXIA  ,  BERK2L£Y. 


This  took  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  lielow 


WAR  2  5  1938 


Form  L-9-15m-7,'32 


/ 


53 


C(i\xxt.e- 


UNIVERSITY  of  CALIFORNl  - 

AT 

LOS  ANGELES^ 

LIBBAKY 


